Harmony, Intelligence, and Hearts & Minds : Applying the Principles of Special Warfare on the College Campus for Better Student Outcomes

There is a strong and growing consensus in academia that diversity provides value because it fosters better scholarship and improved student outcomes. The seasoned economics professor has witnessed sweeping and significant changes to almost every aspect of students, the university, and even key mainstream beliefs about economics. Beliefs regarding the best approach to teaching economics have failed to change despite the best efforts of economics education researchers. We offer a unique perspective, shaped by extensive experience in special operations military units (Army Ranger Regiment and Navy SEALs) of the nature of this problem and to a variety issues related to classroom instruction. We review our experience of implementing various changes over the last eight years at four universities and our successes and failures along the way. Sometimes an outsider can bring a different perspective on a problem that insiders, regardless of pedigree and competence within their field, fail to see. We bring to bear the principles of special warfare and the habits of special operations warriors on the various challenges facing the typical economics instructor