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Does pluralism in economics education make better educated, happier students? A qualitative analysis

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Author Info
Andrew Mearman () (Department of Economics, University of the West of England, UK)
Tim Wakeley (Griffith University, Australia)
Gamila Shoib (Griffith University, Australia)
Don J. Webber (Department of Business Economics, Auckland University of Technology and Department of Economics, UWE, Bristol)

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Abstract

This paper contributes to the debate on pluralism in the Economics curriculum. Here pluralism means a diversity of theoretical perspectives. One set of pedagogical arguments for pluralism are those found in ‘liberal’ philosophy of education. To this end, the first part of the paper presents arguments for pluralism based on ‘liberal’ pedagogical arguments. The paper also notes more instrumental arguments for pluralism; and barriers to such an approach. Finally, the paper considers new primary evidence from focus groups on student perceptions of economics. This evidence shows support for the arguments that a pluralist curriculum is popular and develops cognitive capacities of criticism, comparison and analysis – exactly those argued for in (liberal) pedagogical discussion – as well as judgement, understanding and writing skills. However, pluralism as a teaching strategy may be more difficult for those delivering it.

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File URL: http://carecon.org.uk/DPs/0916.pdf
File Format: application/pdf
File Function: First version, 2009
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by University of the West of England, Department of Economics in its series Discussion Papers with number 0916.

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Length: 24 pages
Date of creation: Aug 2009
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:uwe:wpaper:0916

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Web page: http://www.uwe.ac.uk/bbs/acad/econ/econ.shtml
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Related research
Keywords: Students; pedagogy; pluralism; perceptions; focus groups;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
B4 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology
B5 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches

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This page was last updated on 2009-11-24.

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