Title: A pluralist approach to teaching labour economics

Authors: Daphne T. Greenwood

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Abstract: This paper provides an illustration of teaching labour economics from a pluralist approach that includes sustainability. New principles such as holism (the embeddedness of the economy in social institutions), bargaining power, social externalities, and path dependence can be illustrated through a mixture of classic and newer writings, as well as films, videos and web-based assignments. Students are introduced to raw data and empirical analysis before discussing deductive partial equilibrium models. The readings and exercises are focused on issues and examples in the USA, with comparisons to other countries.

Keywords: pluralism; labour economics; institutionalism; teaching; economics education; work; compensation; wages; working conditions; labour market; sustainability; holism; bargaining power; social externalities; path dependence; films; videos; web-based assignments; raw data; partial equilibrium models.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEE.2015.072588

International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education, 2015 Vol.6 No.2, pp.118 - 133

Published online: 21 Oct 2015 *

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