TEACHING WITH INTERNET-BASED TEXTS: A "GREAT BOOKS" APPROACH Robert F. Mulligan, Ph.D. Department of Economics, Finance, and International Business, Western Carolina University College of Business & Department of Economics, State University of New York at Binghamton

THE "GREAT BOOKS" APPROACH DEFINED
Primary texts allow your students to be present at the creation of sea-changes in the history of thought and view intellectual revolutions first-hand.

IDENTIFYING AND AVOIDING CULTURAL BIAS
Primary texts are predominantly authored by dead white males, but your students should not be deprived of the insights they offer.  Furthermore, outmoded concepts, values, and knowledge can be discussed, analyzed, and placed in a more enlightened perspective.

DESIGN ISSUES: SETTING UP A READING LIST
A course can be built around a single primary text, or selections can be assigned to cover various fundamental topics in your discipline.  Assignments can be primary readings, or supplement a standard text.

INTERNET RESOURCES
An immense number and variety of primary texts are available on the internet free-of-charge.  These include discipline-specific technical works as well as established literature of universal interest.

IMPEMENTATION ISSUES
Readings can be assigned through handouts or a website with links to the readings.

ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION ISSUES
As you teach from your reading list, you will develop preferences, discover shortcomings of certain readings, and find better readings for specific course goals.  Student feedback is extremely valuable in assessing whether to retain specific assigned readings.  Readings can support written assignments, and material should be included in course examinations.