Understanding Money: the History of Finance, Speculation and the Stock Market from FutureLearn

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for anyone with a general interest in money and how money is understood in society, as well as anyone interested in history, literature, and economics. You can use the hashtag #FLmoney to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

An introduction to the disciplinary debates regarding the function and histories of money.
An exploration of money’s representations in art, literature and popular culture.
An introduction to stocks, shares, investment and the national debt.
An exploration of how investment cultures have changed and the role that technology and financial advice have played in them.
An analysis of the causes and forms of financial crisis.
An exploration of four case studies - the South Sea Bubble, the Railway Mania, the Wall Street Crash and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.

Reviews summary

History and cultural view of money

Learners say this course offers a fascinating historical journey into the world of money and finance, providing a unique perspective that blends history, economics, and culture. Students particularly praise the engaging case studies, such as the South Sea Bubble and Wall Street Crash, finding them incredibly insightful for understanding the evolution of financial events. While many found it an accessible and good introduction or overview, some learners note that it has a strong theoretical focus and is not a course on 'how to invest', lacking depth in modern or practical finance topics. Overall, it's seen as highly valuable for those interested in the historical context and the 'why' behind financial concepts.

Opinions vary on pace.

"The lectures were clear and easy to follow..."

"...sometimes a bit dry. The lectures were okay..."

"The lectures were slow at times."

Accessible for newcomers.

"The lectures were clear and easy to follow, even for someone with little background in finance. It's a great introduction to the topic."

"A really good overview of the history of money and finance."

"Good foundation for understanding the evolution of finance."

Real-world examples are insightful.

"The historical case studies, especially the South Sea Bubble and the Wall Street Crash, were presented in a very engaging way."

"The historical examples were the highlight."

"The case studies were incredibly insightful."

Unique blend of history, culture.

"This course was absolutely fascinating! The historical case studies... I particularly enjoyed how the course connected history, economics, and even literature."

"Excellent course! It provides a unique perspective on finance through a historical and cultural lens."

"Loved this course! The way it links finance to history and culture is brilliant."

Less practical finance than expected.

"The history parts were interesting, but I was hoping for more practical insights into the stock market or modern finance. It felt very theoretical..."

"Found this course a bit disappointing. It's too focused on history and not enough on practical finance or the stock market..."

"I learned it was academic, historical, and broad; don't expect to learn how to trade stocks."

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding Money: the History of Finance, Speculation and the Stock Market will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: