Developing a Cutting Edge Curriculum Undergraduate Level Economics

Abstract

This paper assesses the undergraduate economics curricular at three academic institutions, one in the US and two in the UK, using a case study methodology. The results of this paper indicates that if the level of integration between research and teaching is very high, if the curriculum is ‘relevant’ interdisciplinary; and if the student selection process is robust and seeks only to admit only the most intellectually able students, then this may not only have a positive effect on the ranking of the institution itself but also on the ranking of the economics department of the institution. Furthermore, it can be demonstrated that there is also a correlation between the rankings of institutions and the institutions economic departments with former students as well as former and current staff being awarded Nobel Prizes.

Keywords: Education, Economics, Innovation, Teaching