Can instruction in consumer choice theory in introduction to microeconomics benefit student learning in upper-level economics courses? The example of public finance

Abstract

Does teaching the theory of consumer choice in Introduction to Microeconomics enhance student learning in upper-level economics courses? In this study, a Public Finance course was selected as an example of an upper-level economics course. Results suggest that: (1) it can significantly benefit students in learning Public Finance when students learned about the topic (i.e., theory of consumer choice) in the Introduction to Microeconomics class within one year of enrolling in the Public Finance class; and (2) when the Public Finance instructor reviewed/taught the topic at the beginning of the semester, students who learned about the topic in the Introduction to Microeconomics class within one year of enrolling in the Public Finance class significantly performed better than other students who learned about the topic over one year before enrolling in the Public Finance class or never learned about the topic in the introduction class. Another interesting question emerged: who is responsible for teaching the topic — instructors who teach Introduction to Microeconomics or other faculty? While it seems reasonable to expect those who teach the Introduction to Microeconomics class to do so, some may not agree. We encourage further discussion of this topic among readers.