Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stefani Milovanska-Farrington Author-X-Name-First: Stefani Author-X-Name-Last: Milovanska-Farrington Author-Name: G. Dirk Mateer Author-X-Name-First: G. Dirk Author-X-Name-Last: Mateer Title: Using engaging activities to enhance student mental wellness in introductory economics classes Abstract: Many college students experience symptoms of mental health challenges, with depression and anxiety being among the most common. These problems negatively affect academic performance (Brännlund et al., 2017) and overall health (Yang and Zikos, 2024). In the 2021 Healthy Minds Study, 41% of the participating students tested positive for depression, 34% suffered from anxiety, 12% had an eating disorder, 40% were diagnosed with a lifetime mental disorder, and 13% reported suicidal thoughts in the previous year (Eisenberg et al., 2021). These statistics are both concerning and unfortunate given that there are easy ways to maintain good mental health. In this paper, we propose engaging activities that can be implemented in introductory economics classes to illustrate economic concepts while promoting wellness. Learning activities that promote wellness in economics serve a twofold purpose: knowledge acquisition and better mental health outcomes for students, both of which are public goods. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 212-228 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: activities; engagement; engaging activities; foundation economics; games; mental health; music; teaching economics; wellness. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=148018 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:212-228 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Junaid B. Jahangir Author-X-Name-First: Junaid B. Author-X-Name-Last: Jahangir Title: Teaching the economics of racism Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to offer three teaching plans in the economics of racial discrimination. It is shown that mainstream textbooks do not adequately capture the key ideas in the economics of racism. They delineate the anachronistic Becker model of discrimination. Resources like the Komlos textbook or the CORE Insight on Racial Inequality offer better alternatives on addressing systemic racism. This paper suggests how to incorporate Disney video clips from <i>The Princess and the Frog</i>; offers key ideas from the economics of incarceration; and discusses pluralist perspectives in the interest of advancing economic pluralism and decolonising economics. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 249-263 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: economics of racism; John Komlos; Gary Becker; ECON 101; economic pluralism; statistical discrimination; CORE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=148019 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:249-263 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sven-Olof Yrjö Author-X-Name-First: Sven-Olof Author-X-Name-Last: Yrjö Author-Name: Collin Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Collin Author-Name: Assia Liberatore Author-X-Name-First: Assia Author-X-Name-Last: Liberatore Title: Does a university education influence students' moral orientation? A survey of Italian business students Abstract: There is a concern that business students evolve moral standards containing egoistic values: entering their education with more egoistic values, and then, during their education, which is assumed to be geared towards egoistic models, develop them further. We present a slightly more developed conceptual model of the education process and use survey material from two Italian universities where we contrast business students with students in humanities subjects on their moral orientation, specifically idealism and relativism. We find that business students have lower levels of Idealism when they enter, thus corroborating the hypothesis of entry egoism. However, that difference could not be found among students who had been subject to the education process, thus rejecting the idea of business students receiving more egoistic values during their education. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 282-307 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: moral orientation; idealism; relativism; university students. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=148020 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:282-307 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Efren Danilo Ariza Ruiz Author-X-Name-First: Efren Danilo Ariza Author-X-Name-Last: Ruiz Author-Name: Nestor Garza Author-X-Name-First: Nestor Author-X-Name-Last: Garza Title: The unfolding of neoliberalism in academic economics: a case study of Colombia Abstract: We document and analyse the emergence and consolidation of neoliberalism in higher education in economics in Colombia. The research focuses on four interrelated categories through which neoliberal ideology changed the scientific field of economics by replacing endogenously developed analytical traditions during the 1980s–1990s: 1) homogenisation of curricula; 2) neoclassical mathematisation; 3) use of textbooks; 4) quantitative assessment (scientometrics) of academic quality. We describe each category and evidence its implementation in the education of Colombian economists. Our analysis highlights the role of the neoliberal transformation of economics in the more general process of social acceptance of neoliberal values. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 264-281 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: economics education; sociology of economics; neoclassical economics; pluralism; Colombia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=148021 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:264-281 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sophie Jallais Author-X-Name-First: Sophie Author-X-Name-Last: Jallais Author-Name: Florence Jany-Catrice Author-X-Name-First: Florence Author-X-Name-Last: Jany-Catrice Author-Name: Arthur Jatteau Author-X-Name-First: Arthur Author-X-Name-Last: Jatteau Author-Name: Nadine Thevenot Author-X-Name-First: Nadine Author-X-Name-Last: Thevenot Title: Pluralism in university economics teaching: the case of France Abstract: This paper examines the range of courses offered in economics and management bachelor's degrees in the 53 French public universities. Based on an exhaustive survey and a quantitative analysis of all the course outlines for 2020–2021, this paper analyses the curricula from the angle of pluralism, using the titles of the 6,433 courses offered in these outlines. We use an original categorisation of these titles. First, we focus on whether they denote a mainstream or non-mainstream approach. After noting the very significant weight of the mainstream in economics and management bachelor's degrees in France, we examine their degree of pluralism along five dimensions: the pluralism of theoretical currents and paradigms; the plurality of themes addressed in economics; openness to other disciplines; the variety of methods taught; and reflexivity (i.e., the ability to develop historical analyses critical of the discipline). We demonstrate, with supporting statistics, that in each of these dimensions, the range of economics courses offered in French bachelor's degrees in economics and management is marked by a very low degree of pluralism. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 189-211 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: bachelor's degrees; economics; exhaustive survey; France; mainstream approach; non-mainstream approach; openess to other disciplines; pluralism; pluralism of paradigms; plurality of themes in economics; reflexivity; variety of methods taught. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=148022 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:189-211 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Laura Beltran Figueroa Author-X-Name-First: Laura Beltran Author-X-Name-Last: Figueroa Title: Beyond the degree: a classroom exercise Abstract: This paper explores the pedagogical exercise of analysing the value of higher education through the lens of heterodox economics, focusing on a class activity that engages students with real-world labour market data. In an era where neoliberal ideologies dominate educational narratives, encouraging perpetual academic advancement as a panacea for economic success, this exercise challenges students to critically assess the empirical relationship between educational attainment and earnings potential. By comparing job listings for positions requiring bachelor's degrees with those requiring master's and advanced degrees, students are prompted to reflect on the material outcomes of higher education investments. The paper argues that such pedagogical practices can foster a critical consciousness among students, empowering them to make informed decisions about their educational and economic futures. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 229-248 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: higher education; labour market; critical pedagogy; student consciousness; discussion boards. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=148023 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:229-248 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anuj Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Anuj Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Author-Name: Sweta Leena Hota Author-X-Name-First: Sweta Leena Author-X-Name-Last: Hota Author-Name: Arya Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Arya Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Author-Name: Sablu Khan Author-X-Name-First: Sablu Author-X-Name-Last: Khan Title: Indian primary schools and pluralism education - a qualitative view Abstract: This article highlights how pluralistic education promotes a harmonious society that is tolerant of religious and cultural diversity. Research was conducted on three different categories of primary schools in the Indian state of Odisha. Analysis of student demographics, pluralistic policies, and teaching practices were based on interviews, field notes, and document reviews. Our results indicate that, since 1999 the Ministry of Education has been aggressively improving the quality of education in primary and government schools and promoting pluralistic education. We find that preserving cultural and religious identity is possible through an inclusive educational curriculum. Our findings suggest that pluralistic education enables the building of intercultural skills and tolerance towards diverse cultures, which will go a long way in maintaining a harmonious society amidst cultural and religious diversity. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 345-361 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: pluralism; education; India; pluralism in primary schools; cultural pluralism; primary schools. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150355 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:345-361 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Swapna Hulimavu Ramaswamy Author-X-Name-First: Swapna Hulimavu Author-X-Name-Last: Ramaswamy Author-Name: Sanjeet Singh Author-X-Name-First: Sanjeet Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Author-Name: Geetika Madaan Author-X-Name-First: Geetika Author-X-Name-Last: Madaan Author-Name: Amrinder Singh Author-X-Name-First: Amrinder Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Title: Transforming how we construct gig work in the sustainable digital economy: a suggested cooperative framework between the disciplines of economics and human resource management Abstract: With the rise of technology in every aspect of our lives, the gig economy has become a viable field for alternate job arrangements. This study examines the variables influencing the use of gig workers in long-term digital platforms in the IT industry. In addition, the study envisions a future in gig work that would allow IT workers to practice autonomy and attain new employment prospects. The study proposes a conceptual framework using structured equation modelling and AMOS software to ascertain the relationship between human resource management and gig work. We find that a high level of competitiveness, extended login hours, and late-night delivery are the most important hurdles to be surmounted. We also offer this paper as a liaison between the disciplines of economics and human resource management. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 362-381 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: digital economy; gig economy; gig contracting; gig IT; gig workers; human resource management; sustainability; India; employment; economics; economics and human resource management. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150356 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:362-381 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Suddhasanta De Author-X-Name-First: Suddhasanta Author-X-Name-Last: De Author-Name: Jayanta Banerjee Author-X-Name-First: Jayanta Author-X-Name-Last: Banerjee Author-Name: Keya Das Ghosh Author-X-Name-First: Keya Das Author-X-Name-Last: Ghosh Title: Assessing pedagogy effectiveness: applying the Solomon experimental design Abstract: Women's empowerment through skill development is a crucial component of economic inclusion, particularly in rural areas where economic participation is limited. However, identifying effective pedagogical tools to enhance economic education remains a challenge. This study investigates the impact of two pedagogical approaches - video and storytelling - on the effectiveness of learning and entrepreneurial skill development within the framework of pluralist economic thought. Using Solomon's four-group experimental design, data were collected from participants in the Anandadhara project, an initiative by the Indian government aimed at promoting women's economic participation through entrepreneurial training, launched in 2012. The study aligns with pluralist economic education by examining the intersection of pedagogical strategies and economic agency. Findings indicate that video-based learning significantly enhances sales skills compared to storytelling, underscoring the importance of diverse educational methods in fostering economic empowerment. The study contributes to discussions on inclusive economic policies and pluralist approaches to skill development, offering insights for policymakers and educators worldwide. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 317-329 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: female empowerment; Solomon 4 group experimental design; pedagogy; Anandadhara; training. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150357 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:317-329 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sri Sakuntala Sanagavarapu Author-X-Name-First: Sri Sakuntala Author-X-Name-Last: Sanagavarapu Author-Name: Mutyala Suresh Author-X-Name-First: Mutyala Author-X-Name-Last: Suresh Author-Name: Rajani H. Pillai Author-X-Name-First: Rajani H. Author-X-Name-Last: Pillai Author-Name: A. Ibemcha Chanu Author-X-Name-First: A. Ibemcha Author-X-Name-Last: Chanu Author-Name: Sidar Atalay Şimşek Author-X-Name-First: Sidar Atalay Author-X-Name-Last: Şimşek Title: The socio-economic marginalisation of the depressed in Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance: an analytical study Abstract: This paper explores how the fabricated social structure during the 1940s and 1950s, and the imposition of an emergency by the Indian government during the 1970s aggravated the wretched living conditions of the downtrodden in Rohinton Mistry's novel, <i>A Fine Balance</i>. Our research question is "is the socio-economic marginalisation of the Dalits dealt with by the author objectively?" The study's objectives are: 1) to study/analyse the problems of the Dalits depicted in the novel; 2) to closely investigate and analyse the plot and characterisation of significant characters in the then contemporary history; 3) to analyse how the social marginalisation and the economic marginalisation victimising the oppressed are dialectically related. We use a qualitative analysis conducted within the theoretical framework of cultural materialism according to which social, cultural, political and economic institutions mutually interact. Journal: Int. J. of Pluralism and Economics Education Pages: 330-344 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2025 Keywords: socio-political turmoil; religious dogma; Dalits; political tyranny; bureaucracy; fiction; Rohinton Mistry; India; economics; marginalisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=150358 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:330-344