FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
I.
LOCATOR INFORMATION:
SEMESTER: Fall, 2005
COURSE:
ECON 440, Seminar in Economics
CREDIT HOURS:
3 semester hours
MEETING TIME:
MWF 11:00-11:50
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Inder P. Nijhawan E-mail:inijhawan@uncfsu.edu
OFFICE LOCATION: School of Business & Economics, SBE 315
OFFICE PHONE: 672-1618 M 9:00 –10:00 am and 2:50 P.M – 4:50 PM 2:00 PM F 9:00 – 10:00 am W 9:00 – 10:00 and 1:00 PM to
OFFICE HOURS:
Available other times by appointment. Contact:SBE 315, Ph.# 672-1618.
2 II. COURSE DESCRIPTION: The culmination of the undergraduate study of economics providing opportunities for students to apply knowledge and training to an analysis of current economic problems. Students select projects of their choice and work under the supervision of the instructor. Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of the instructor. III. TEXTBOOK AND READINGS: Carnes, Stanberry, The Atlas of Economic Indicators, New York: Harper & Row, 2003 Carson, Robert B., What Economists Know: An Economic Policy Primer for the 1990s and Beyond, New York: St. Martin's Press, 2002. Dasgupta, Portra, An Inquiry into Well Being and Destitution, New York: Oxford Press, 1999. D’Souza, What’s So Great About America? New York: Regency Publication. 2003 Fraser, Lyn, Understanding Financial Statements, Second Edition, New York: PrenticeHall, 2004 Friedman, Milton. Free to Choose, latest edition, New York: Harcourt Brace. Huck, Schuyler W., William H. Cormier, and William C. Bounds, Readings in Statistics and Research, New York: Harper and Row Publishers (latest edition). Huff, Darrell, How to Lie with Statistics, New York: W. W. Norton & Co., Inc. 2002. Krugman, Paul, The Age of Diminished Expectations, New York: MIT, 2001 Strunk, William and E.B White, The Elements of Style, New York: Macmillan Publishing Company Latest Edition (Required reading) Yatchew, Adonis, “Nonparametric Regression Techniques in Economics”, Journal of Economic Literature, Volume 35, Number 2, 1999 Harvard Business Review, various issues. Journal of Bank Research, various issues. Journal of Banking and Finance, various issues. Journal of Business and Economic Statistics, various issues. Journal of Economic Education, various issues.
3 Journal of Economic Literature, various issues. Journal of Finance, various issues. Journal of Financial Economics, various issues. IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND COMPETENCIES
Behavioral Objectives Upon completion of the course, the students should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of various research methodologies by researching a topic of his/her choice. Write a cogent and lucid position and research paper with proper format. Demonstrate proficiency in using computer for word processing, electronic spread sheets, graphs and charts, statistical analysis, identifying and downloading economic data bases and the Internet applications to economics.. Read a journal article and evaluate its research design, statistical analysis and inference Present position and research papers with fluency, lucidity and proper diction. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of economics.
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Competencies Required for the Course 1. Students must demonstrate familiarity with the standard procedures and format for writing a research paper. Students must be knowledgeable of descriptive and inferential statistics.
2.
V.
EVALUATION CRITERIA/GRADING SCALE: Research Paper Position Paper #1 Position Paper #2 Projects Assignments Final Exam 30 points 10 points 10 points 15 points 15 points 20 points
4 VI COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS Assignment Research Paper Proposal Position Paper #1 Position Paper #2 Projects Date September 14 September 16 October 14
August 31 September 7 September 21 October 5 October 12 November 18 November 28 and 30 December
Research Paper Research Paper Presentation Final Exam VII. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
It is the responsibility of the student to be informed of the academic requirements of the instructor and to turn in all assignments when they are due. Failure to complete assignments/projects by the due date or failure to report to the designated time and day of the meeting would result in one letter grade reduction. Specific course requirements are as follows 1. Timely completion of a research paper. The weight assigned to each of the components of the research paper is as follows: Format: Text: Research Paper Presentation: Total 5 points 20 points 5 points --------------30 points
The research paper must be typed and must conform to the following format: Format of the Research Paper Table of Contents
5 I. II. Abstract Introduction a. Need to study the problem b. Review of Literature b. Statement of purpose/hypothesis Methods Results Conclusions References Page
III. IV. V. VI.
VII. Appendix A model research paper will be discussed during the first four weeks. A PROPOSAL CONTAINING SECTIONS II, III, and VI OF THE FORMAT MUST PRECEDE THE RESEARCH PAPER AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY September 13, 2004. The paper will be not be accepted without an approved research proposal. SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: 1) 2) Collect time series and/or cross section data on variables of your choice. (A) (b) Plot the variables on a graph paper.
3) 4) 5)
Examine the graph visually to determine whether (1) there is a lead or lag relationship between the two variables; (2) there is a linear (straight line) or non-linear relationship between the two variables; (3) there is direct or inverse relationship between the two variables; (4) the relationship is in accordance with what is expected on the basis of economic theory. Adjust data in accordance with your findings. Specify the regression model (linear, nonlinear, additive, multiplicative, etc.) Estimate the regression equation and subject data to supplementary statistical tests.
Position Papers: Class would select two issues from the following: 1. Does the United States has an income distribution problem?
6 2. Has capitalism defeated socialism? 3. Trade Deficit, does it matter? 4. Is managed competition the cure for our ailing health care? 5. Is choice a panacea for the ills of public education? 6. Are more prisons and prison beds the answer to Americas rising crime rate? 7. Do we need the Affirmative Action Program? 8. Does the state hinder or help the minorities? 9. Should Pollution be put to the market test? 10 Should the United States protect the domestic industries from foreign competition? 11. What’s So Great About America? Position Paper Format The author must summarize both sides of the issue, and take a position either pro or con. The paper must be prepared as an executive summary and should not exceed three typed pages. The paper must include supporting data. The position paper will be evaluated based on the syntax, analytical rigor, lucidity and persuasiveness of the arguments presented. The final exam will encompass selected issues and individual projects.
Individual Projects; Student would be expected to participate in the discussion on issues placed on the discussion board. Upon completion of the issue discussion, students would be expected to submit a short paper not exceeding two typed pages.
Plagiarism: students will receive a “F” grade if it is determined by the instructor that the material presented in assignments, individual projects and research paper is plagiarized.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. Failure to attend a class when the presentation or
7 assignment is due would result in one letter grade reduction. VIII TEACHING STRATEGIES Teaching strategies for this course would include lecture, student presentations, hands-on strategies to access economic data on the Internet and conducting electronic search of references and discussion of issues on the discussion board. XI. Bibliography Andriot, John L. Guide to U. S. Government Statistics, 3rd ed., Arlington, Virginia, Documents Index. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Long Term Economic Growth, 1970-2004 Council of Economic Advisers. Economic Indicators (latest issue) Council of Economic Advisers. Economic Report of the President (latest edition) Forbes 500, various issues. Roth, Audrey J. The Research Paper: Form and Content, New York: Prentice Hall (latest edition) Standard and Poor's Corporation, Stock Market Encyclopedia, latest edition. United Nations, Compendium of Social Statistics (latest edition) United Nations, Demographic Yearbook (latest edition) United Nations, Statistical Office, Statistical Yearbook (latest edition) United Nations, Yearbook of National Accounts Statistics (latest edition) U. S. Bureau of the Census, County and City Data Book (latest edition) U. S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the U.S. (latest edition) U. S. Congress, Joint Economic Committee, Economic Report of the President Hearings U. S. Office of Business Economics, Business Statistics (latest edition) U. S. Office of Business Economics, National Income and Product Accounts of the United States (latest issue) Wasserman, Paul et al., eds., Statistical Sources, 2nd ed., Detroit: Gale Research Company (latest edition)
Internet Address for all economic databases and resources:
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http://econwpa.wustl.edu/EconFAQ/sc.html
www.EconData.net