Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Is Economics Coursework, Or Majoring In Economics, Associated With Different Civic Behaviors?, Sam Allgood, William Bosshardt, Wilbert Van Der Klaauw, Michael Watts

Department of Economics: Faculty Publications

Studies regularly link levels of educational attainment to civic behavior and attitudes, but only a few investigate the role played by specific coursework. Using data collected from students who attended one of four public universities in our study, we investigate the relationship between economics coursework and civic behavior after graduation. Drawing from large samples of students in economics, business, or general majors, we compare responses across the three groups and by the number of undergraduate economics courses completed. We find that undergraduate coursework in economics is strongly associated with political party affiliation and with donations to candidates or parties, but …