Euler, DieterDieterEulerKühner, PatriziaPatriziaKühner2023-04-132023-04-132017-11-05https://www.alexandria.unisg.ch/handle/20.500.14171/10181710.7771/1541-5015.1668The following research question serves as the starting point of this research and development project: How, in the context of a didactic design, can problem-based assignments trigger learning activities for the development of ethical and reflective competencies in students in economics courses? This paper focuses on the design of problem-based assignments as a trigger for purposeful learning activities, and, based on the literature, summarizes the principles of problem-based assignment design. A case study on the “city economics” topic outlines the implementation of these principles in a specific economics class context. In the context of a design-based research approach, the development and testing of the design are linked to the creation of design principles comprising many situations. In conclusion, the paper presents its preliminary research results.enjournal article