FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND RAPIDS (May 14, 2024) – Six professors and administrators affiliated with universities and across the United States were recently awarded funding to support faculty research and advance course development.
The Acton Institute Mini-Grants on Free Market Economics program accepts proposals from faculty members at colleges, seminaries, and universities in the United States and Canada in order to promote the scholarship and teaching of market economics. This program allows for collaboration between faculty from different universities and helps future leaders to emerge, strengthening and expanding the existing network of scholars within economics. Entrants may submit proposals in two broad categories: course development and faculty scholarship.
Here is the complete list of the 2024 winners and their specific projects:
Business as an Agent of Betterment
Allen Mendenhall, Executive Director, Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy and Associate Dean of the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University.
A continuation of an annual reading group for the Free Enterprise Scholars Program on the topic of “Business as an Agent of Betterment.” The reading group will focus on three books: Jim Otteson’s Seven Deadly Economic Sins; Alexander C. R. Hammond’s Heroes of Progress: 65 People Who Changed the World; and Father Sirico’s Defending the Free Market.
A History of Christian Political Economy
Erik Matson, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center
A two-volume project on the intellectual history of Christian political economy, offering synthetic reflections on interactions between Christian faith and the science of economics. The first volume will be a primary source reader; the second volume will be an accompanying monograph.
Development of an Economics Component for Education Majors
Paul Hartog, Senior Professor at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
In compliance with the new regulations implemented by the Iowa Department of Education. This grant will allow for the furthering of education of the professor in History and Theological Ethics as well as a Professional Certificate in Macroeconomics.
Course Development and Operation: History of Economic Thought
Scott Niederjohn, Director of the Free Enterprise Center and Professor at Concordia University Wisconsin
This course will trace the evolution of economic thinking and distinguish between the amin schools and thinkers in the history of economic thought and relate their ideas to contemporary issues. Major groups and thinkers covered include Classical Economics, Laissez-faire, Utilitarianism, Socialism, The Institutional School, The Chicago School, Austrian Economics, Keynesianism, Behavioral Economics, and more.
New Course: Innovation and the Mission of the Church: Intersection of the Free Market and Christian Faith
Walter Jay Moon, Director of the Office of Faith, Work, and Economics, and Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary
This course will focus on the various innovations that demonstrate positive involvement of the church in the marketplace. Through video series such as the Poverty Cure and For the Life of the World, and more, students will learn business practices for the common good, Christian ethics through an attitude of marketplace holiness, economics of small business, co-vocational church leadership, alternate financial models for churches, entrepreneurial church planting in the marketplace and more.
New Course: Economic Principles of the American Political Order
William Reddinger, Associate Professor of Government at Regent University
This course will emphasize the economic thinking of the American founders with influences of Christian principles. Readings include texts from the American founders that were familiar to them and would have influenced their thinking in economics.
The Mini-Grants program forms part of a range of academic scholarships, grants, and awards available from the Acton Institute that support those engaged in serious reflection and research on the relationship between theology, the free market, limited government, and the rule of law. Details of these academic grants and scholarships may be found here.