Honors Economics

Spring 2012

The first half of this semester focused on the basic components of both macro and micro economics and “The Mind of the Market” by Michael Shermer.  The second part of this semester will be a study of the book “The End of Poverty” by Jeffery Sachs and the final project.  The final assignment will draw on all the information you have learned thus far from the textbook and the additional content of the two new books.  The most important point of this assignment is the analysis and then synthesis of all the information in a way that might produce real world results.

You may choose to work by yourself or with up to two other people.  Keep in mind that this assignment only receives one grade, not a grade for each person if there is more than one person in the group.

Objective:  The main objective of this assignment is to create a real world project that will have economic benefits to those who will use it.  There are two options:

1. Create an entirely new project (though it certainly may be related to a project that already exists or is in the process of being created.
2. Take a current project and enhance it in new and innovative ways.

The Details:

There are three components for this assignment:

1.  A written paper

The written portion needs to be between 2500 and 3750 words in length.  The paper needs to include the following:

a.      The idea with a detailed explanation

b.      What category or categories the idea fits in with from page 84.

c.       Background research on similar or the same idea (must include a bibliography and websites for this section)

d.      Explanation of how the idea will be funded

e.       Explanation of what African country(s) the idea will be implemented in

f.        Explanation of how the idea will be implemented 

This paper is an analytical research paper.  You will need to follow the proper formatting and content.  My website has a link that will explain how to do an analytical research paper.  For reference the website is  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

You will need to use APA formatting and style for this paper.  The website reference for APA is

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

The exact link for the difference between analytical and argumentative is

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/02/

I will discuss the process in class so everyone understands how to correctly do the paper.

2.  A poster board of the information

            The poster needs to include:

a.      A written summary of the written paper

b.      Photos and/or drawings of your idea, location of implementation, people involved, etc.

c.       Please go to my class website for the AAA site reference in how to do the poster.  It is also below for reference. 

       http://www.aaanet.org/_cs_upload/meetings/presenters/15341_1.pdf

3.  Presentation

            The presentation will be from the poster board with explanation

Finally, be as creative as you can and have fun with this assignment.  Do not expect to create the prefect idea.  The point of this assignment is to develop potential real ideas, not necessarily an idea in its final form.