Publication: Journal of Economic Education
Volume: Volume 22, No. 1
Issue: Winter 1991
Pages: pp. 55-87
Author(s): Jean Shackelford
Address (Principal Author):
Title: One-Semester Introductory Economics Texts: Echoes and Choices
Abstract: Despite constant critique, an unwritten consensus on text content has emerged among economists (and/or publishers) who consider principles texts and courses. this article reviews of some twenty-one, one-semester introductory economics texts and considers content and context. Goals and objectives that appear common to one and two-term courses and texts are highlighted as are their differences. Text organization along with mathematical and graphical analysis, readability, historical development (or lack thereof), bias, topics linking theory to reality, and other special features of particular texts are noted. Some analysis of reading level as well as student opinion is included. An extensive table lists 240 concepts, principles, and topic areas of the introductory, macroeconomic, microeconomic, public policy and international components for each text reviewed.