ECO 4810. Seminar in Economics

Spring 2010 | Calendar
TR 11:00-12:15
Raley Hall 2016

Instructor: John Whitehead
Office: Raley Hall 3094
Office Hours: MW, 9-11, TR 2-4, appointment, open door
Phone: 262-6121
e-mail: [email protected]

Syllabus: http://www.appstate.edu/~whiteheadjc/ECO4810/

Last Update: 03/05/2010

Catalog Description

In-depth research and analysis of selected economic issues and problems. Required of all seniors majoring in economics or banking. Students participate in discussions of significant economic problems, theories and policies. Preparation of empirical papers that apply theoretical models and quantitative methods is required. These papers will be presented orally and in writing to the seminar participants. Prerequisites: ECO 3010, 3020 and senior standing. (SPEAKING; WRITING)

Course Objectives

This course will give you the opportunity to apply your training in economic theory and statistics to applied economic research. We will explore current research topics in economics, develop the tools that economists use to explore those topics, and apply these tools to new research. You will learn the steps involved in conducting economic research. You will select a research question, formulate a hypothesis, apply an economic model, and collect and analyze data.

My goals for you are to:

apply economic theory to real world situations, and to utilize economic theory to frame analysis of research questions,
recognize the vast array of information available to economists over the Internet and in the library, and to learn where resources and data can be found,
use statistical analysis to test economic theory and address policy issues, and
gain an appreciation for the value of economic reasoning and research, but to also recognize the limitations of its application.

Textbook and Reading Assignments

There is no textbook for this course. However, there are several ad-hoc reading assignments (TBD).

Required: McCloskey, Deirdre, "Economical Writing: An Executive Summary, EEJ 25(2):239-242, 1999. [*.pdf]

Recommended: McCloskey, Donald, "Economical Writing," Economic Inquiry, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(2):187-222, 1985 [*.pdf]

Grades

The grades are based on the following:

Assignments	Points	%
Participation (attendance)	100	10
Statistics Quiz	100	10
Paper proposal	100	10
Literature review	100	10
Theory	100	10
Data summary	100	10
Data analysis	100	10
Presentation	100	10
Final paper	100	10
Exit Exam	100	10
Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each class day late (i.e., 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 0). No excuses, no exceptions.

The participation grade is equal to 10 - A + EEE; where A is the number of class absences (greater than 2) and EEE is the number of out-of-class enjoyable economic experiences. For example, if a student misses 4 class days but attends two on-campus lectures the participation grade is 10 - 2 + 2 = 10; where A = 4 - 2.

Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:

Grade	A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	D-	F
%	92.5	90	87.5	82.5	80	77.5	72.5	70	67.5	62.5	60	below 60
Points	925	900	875	825	800	775	725	700	675	625	600	below 600

Academic Dishonesty

It is the responsibility of every student to abide by the Appalachian State University Academic Integrity Code.