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Critical thinking in consumer studies: part 2 of a content analysis of Canadian university consumer studies courses
Author(s) -
McGregor Sue L. T.,
MacDonald Susan
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of consumer studies and home economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.775
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1470-6431
pISSN - 0309-3891
DOI - 10.1111/j.1470-6431.1998.tb00710.x
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , comprehension , content analysis , value (mathematics) , sociology , psychology , engineering ethics , pedagogy , public relations , social science , political science , computer science , engineering , artificial intelligence , machine learning , programming language
This paper concludes a two‐part study on a content analysis of Canadian university consumer studies courses offered in human ecology, home economics or related programmes. Phase 1 of the study profiles the programmes, professors, students and the results of a content analysis of these courses. This companion research examines the inferred level of learning associated with consumer concepts in the course outlines. Instructors were choosing verbs associated with knowledge and comprehension rather than application, analysis, synthesis or evaluation. Implications regarding the appropriateness of these courses to prepare graduates for consumer‐related careers are discussed. Lessons to be learned from the Canadian experience are tendered, especially the need for critical theory, a systems of actions perspective and an ethical, value‐based approach in consumer studies courses.