Socio-economic education in the school subject 'geography and economics education' in Austria: history, trends, issues and attitudes

Abstract

The teaching subject of geography and economics education is one of the most important contexts for socio-economic education in Austrian schools. In general (but not vocational) schools it is taught nationwide through the entire secondary phase (years 5 to 12). Following two paradigm shifts, economics is understood as embedded in society and subject to influence: the focus is on people acting in spatial and economic societal contexts. These developments are outlined, and selected empirical findings from a larger study are reported. A survey of secondary school teachers of geography and economics education in Vienna investigated the popularity of the subject among teachers and their assessments of interest among students. The findings are discussed, along with the significance of the social science for geography and economics education as an integrated subject. The findings clearly support preserving this multi-perspective and avoiding a mono-disciplinary subject of economics.