Economics as a general education course in universities: search for a target model of teaching

This paper addresses the practice of teaching economics for non-economic students and the development of a target model of teaching. To demonstrate the value of economic knowledge as an important element of general educational training of students at universities, we first assess the role of modern universities in forming an inclusive society. We present the evolution of views on the economic training of students of non-economic specialties in foreign and Russian practice, and highlight current trends in changing the structure, purpose and content of economic disciplines. We offer actual types of combined learning formats for teaching economics as a general educational discipline in the context of an extensive use of digital educational technologies. Drawing on a cross-sectional multisample study conducted at 19 faculties of Lomonosov Moscow State University, we offer a model of teaching economics for non-economic students, proposed as a target model to be implemented within the framework of higher education. The findings can be applied by universities in implementing systemic economic training of non-core students and may also be of interest to the faculty in choosing a combined learning format, as well as updating the course structure and teaching methods.

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