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The economics curriculum in Australian Universities 1980 to 2011

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  • Thornton, Tim B

Abstract

This paper examines the recent evolution of the Australian economics curriculum. First, it examines 2011 survey evidence produced by the Economic Society of Australia that shows that the Australian economics profession wishes to see a broadening and updating of what is taught. These findings are then related to an analysis of the curriculum in both 1980 and 2011 to see if the curriculum is moving in the desired direction. It is shown that the curriculum is not moving in the desired direction, becoming narrower, rather than broader. It has also not kept up to date with important advances in economic knowledge. It is argued that there are strong intellectual and practical benefits that would come from remedying this situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Thornton, Tim B, 2011. "The economics curriculum in Australian Universities 1980 to 2011," MPRA Paper 39321, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:39321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Earl, 2010. "Economics fit for the Queen: a pessimistic assessment of its prospects," Prometheus, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 209-225.
    2. Andrew Mearman, 2011. "Who Do Heterodox Economists Think They Are?," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(2), pages 480-510, April.
    3. Jason Potts, 2000. "The New Evolutionary Microeconomics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2258.
    4. William E. Becker, 2007. "Quit Lying and Address the Controversies: There are No Dogmata, Laws, Rules or Standards in the Science of Economics," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 51(1), pages 3-14, March.
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    6. Andrew Mearman, 2009. "Who do heterodox economists think they are?," Working Papers 0915, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol.
    7. Andrew Mearman, 2010. "What is this thing called ‘heterodox economics’?," Working Papers 1006, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol.
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    Cited by:

    1. Turner, Grant, 2018. "Establishing a comprehensive census of undergraduate economics curricula:Foundational and special requirements for major programs in the U.S," MPRA Paper 103235, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Ross Guest, 2013. "Towards Learning Standards in Economics in Australia," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 32(1), pages 51-66, March.
    3. Tim Thornton, 2013. "The Narrowing of the Australian University Economics Curriculum: An Analysis of the Problem and a Proposed Solution," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 89, pages 106-114, June.
    4. Prante, Franz J. & Barmucci, Alessandro & Hein, Eckhard & Truger, Achim, 2019. "Interactive macroeconomics: A pluralist simulator," IPE Working Papers 117/2019, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Institute for International Political Economy (IPE).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Curriculum; Economic Pluralism; Political Economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • A23 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Graduate
    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics
    • A10 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - General

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