The Relationship between Music and Student Enjoyment of Economics Class: How to Compete with Grand Theft Auto, Crack and Chlamydia!

ABSTRACT Making economics classes enjoyable and interesting is a challenge in today's world. One way to do so is through the use of music and lyrics. A survey of students in an Introduction to Economics class suggests that the use of music increases their enjoyment of economics. However, there is little evidence that it increases their interest in, or understanding of, economics. INTRODUCTION Instructors continually strive to make their classes interesting and enjoyable to students. Unfortunately, as Phil Jupitus said on the BBC radio show The News Quiz, they are "competing with Grand Theft Auto, crack, chlamydia, any number of exciting alternatives" (Lloyd, 2009). One way to stimulate interest is through the use of music. For example, Hall and Lawson (2008) showcased the use lyrics in a writing assignment designed to improve economic reasoning and understanding. Students in an intermediate microeconomics course were given an extra credit assignment involving the full lyrics of five songs along with several questions. They reproduced some of the better student responses. Overall they conclude that, in their opinion, the assignment worked well in getting students to apply knowledge, that the assignments were fun and interesting to students, and that they generated discussions about economics outside of class. Raehsler (2009) reported the use of music in a consumer economics course. Two different assignments were used; in spring 2007, students were asked to analyze the lyrics to Money by Pink Floyd in a written assignment. They then had to select their own song and write a longer assignment analyzing the song and providing a band history. In fall 2008, students had to write their own song lyrics. No music assignments were given in fall 2006 or fall 2007. He found that the scores on the final examination were significantly higher for fall 2008 than for fall 2007, though there was no difference between fall 2006 and spring 2007. He also found that attendance was higher when music was included by about four to five percentage points on average. He also reported better student evaluations of the course and instructor when music was included in the course. The focus of this paper however, is slightly different - we are interested in the students' thoughts on the pedagogy. To do so, students answered a survey independent of university course evaluations. This allowed the instructor to ask questions specific to the use of music in economics. METHODOLOGY Augusta State University (ASU) is a member of the University System of Georgia (USG). It currently offers more than 50 programs of study leading to bachelor, masters and educational specialist degrees. In fall 2009, there were 7,061 students enrolled at the institution (6,421 in spring 2009). In fiscal year 2009, 608 bachelor's degrees were conferred. The freshman retention rate in 2007/2008 (the latest year data is available) was 69% within the institution and 73% within the USG. The six year baccalaureate degree graduation rate for the 2003 cohort was 21% within ASU and 28% in the USG. Introduction to Economics is a course aimed at non-business majors. The core curriculum of all bachelor degrees at ASU requires 12 credit hours in social sciences. Students are required to take an American history and American government class and must choose one of four courses: Introduction to Economics, Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to General Psychology, or Introduction to Sociology (along with one other course). A broad range of majors are represented in a typical Introduction to Economics class including, but not limited to: engineering, nursing, sociology, history, English and education. Sixty seven percent of the students were freshmen or sophomores in spring 2009, and 73% were in the fall. The course is taught three times a year (fall, spring and summer) with one section each semester taught by the same instructor. Enrollment is normally limited to 50 students due to room limitations. …