Bible Readings or News Articles in Undergraduate Corporate Finance: A Teaching Methodology Comparison

Abstract

This paper compares two sections of undergraduate financial management. The classes were virtually identical with the exception of how each class session started. The news article class began with student news article presentations. The Bible reading class began with student Bible readings. The classes are compared with respect to grades, student attitudes of the Bible’s relationship to finance, and student awareness of current events in finance. Statistical analysis was conducted using t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, ordinary least squares, and ordinal regression. How class sessions started did not affect students’ overall course grades. However, the Bible reading class responded significantly higher to the statement “to what extent do you feel that the Bible is related to finance?” Additionally, the news article class responded significantly higher to the statement “to what extent are you aware of current events in finance?”