Unscripted economics in an industrial community Online publication date: Wed, 05-Feb-2020
by Marie Christine Duggan
International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education (IJPEE), Vol. 10, No. 3, 2019
Abstract: One third of US manufacturing jobs disappeared between 2001 and 2009 and the conventional explanations (low wages overseas, robots taking over) do not apply to the capital goods producers in Keene, New Hampshire, where the author teaches. Local firms compete with high wage counterparts and firms using robots hire people as well. De/reindustrialisation ascertains the cause(s) of industrial contraction – or success. Students visit plants in the local industrial base and conduct oral history interviews, analyse annual reports and apply specific concepts of economic theory. The course is interdisciplinary, involves undergraduate research and civic engagement and uses open education assignments. Unscripted learning has proved the great motivator, as students navigate their oral history interviews and the community presentation. The course succeeds in motivating students and it serves the community, conveys research skills and pushes the teacher to take economic theory in practical directions.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education (IJPEE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook