“做”经济学:通过以过程为导向的高年级研究课程提升学生能力

Doing Economics:Enhancing Skills through a Process.Oriented Senior Research Course

本文描述了一个以“像经济学家那样行事”为指导思想的,旨在提升学生研究能力的大四本科课程。虽然大多数院系都提供类似课程,但是此课的独特之处在于三个地方:首先,课程目标基于培养能力,而非传授知识点;其次,学习任务主要由学生自选的研究课题构成;最后,整个课程模式遵循汉森提出的“像经济学家那样行事”(Hansen,2006)的理念。作者对课程的开发历史与特征,学生课题研究的过程和结果,以及此类课程的优点与弱点进行了讨论。

This paper describes a senior-level course designed to promote student skills in“acting like economists.”Although most departments offer senior-level courses,this one is unique in that it was developed on the basis of learning as opposed to content objectives,assignments were designed to reinforce and further develop research skills through a project of the student‘s choosing,and it more closely models what it means to“act like an economist”(W.L.Hansen 2006).The author discusses the development of this course and its unique features,the research process followed by students and the outcomes generated,and some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with this form of senior research course.