Title: Enhancing pluralism in the undergraduate economics curriculum by incorporating a political economy approach

Authors: Pat Cantrell; David Mitchell

Addresses: Department of Economics, Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, University of Central Arkanasas 201 Donaghey, AR 72035, Conway, USA ' Department of Economics, Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, University of Central Arkanasas 201 Donaghey, AR 72035, Conway, USA

Abstract: Incorporating a political economy approach not only adds another viewpoint to traditional economics, it offers the opportunity to engage in critical thinking about alternative methodologies, and to debate about economic hypotheses and conclusions. Such an approach can potentially make the material more lasting for students by making economics more relevant. Weaving the material into an overall political economy curriculum not only adds an additional layer of learning, but provides scaffolding for higher learning. We provide a rationale as well as many suggestions for courses. Incorporating pluralistic curricula with political economy instead of inserting the ideas into a single course allows economics departments to improve student learning so that it becomes truly meaningful to the student.

Keywords: economics curricula; political economy; government structure; capitalism; heterodox economics; social values.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEE.2017.088768

International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education, 2017 Vol.8 No.3, pp.273 - 285

Received: 13 Jul 2016
Accepted: 01 Aug 2017

Published online: 17 Dec 2017 *

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