ECON 4380 DIRECTED RESEARCH
Spring 2016
Instructor: Ken McCormick (Office: CBB 213 Phone: 273-6051)
Office Hours: MWF 1:00 - 2:00 and by appointment
E-mail: kenneth.mccormick@uni.edu
Web-page: http://business.uni.edu/mccormick/
Prerequisites: ECON 2112, ECON 2122, economics major, senior standing
Required Books: Turabian, A Manual for Writers, 8th edition
McCloskey, Economical Writing, 2nd edition
A General Statement about the Course:
Directed Research is an opportunity for you to investigate a topic of your own
choosing. Any topic related to economics is acceptable, so choose something
you are genuinely curious about. You will make presentations to the class and
write a formal paper.
The paper does not have to be any particular length. The quality of your
argument and the clarity of your prose is all that matters. The paper should
reflect sufficient work to earn 3 credits from the economics department; do not
expect to throw something together at the last minute and pass the class.
The best papers will be published in Major Themes in Economics. Past issues of
Major Themes can be viewed at http://business.uni.edu/economics/Themes/.
It is STRONGLY recommended that you look at past issues to get an idea of
what is required to earn an “A” in the class.
Directed Research serves as the Economics Department’s student outcomes
assessment class. In other words, we want to evaluate (i) your understanding
of economic theory and method, (ii) your ability to reason like an economist,
and (iii) your ability to communicate clearly, in both written and spoken forms.
Your research project is the primary way to demonstrate these things. Another
way is through discussions of economic issues that we will have in class.
Class time will mostly be devoted to:
1. lectures about how to write a research paper,
2. student presentations, and
3. discussions about economic issues.
At the appropriate time, the class will be divided into “writing groups.”
Members of the groups will read the papers of the other members of their
group. They will then make suggestions to improve both the paper’s content
and style. Revised drafts will then be submitted to the instructor to grade.
Writing is an essential skill that has been neglected in your university
education. Employers, graduate schools, and law schools tell us that good
writing skills are rare and valuable. One important mission of this course is to
help you to improve your writing.
Dates to observe:
February 8: Presentations of research questions and sources begin.
March 21: Drafts of papers for writing groups are due.
March 23: Writing groups begin to meet.
March 30: Turn in a revised draft of your paper to your instructor.
TBA: Final presentations of research projects begin.
May 2: Turn in your final draft.
An outline of the lectures and the associated readings:
TOPIC
I. Introduction
II. Choosing a Research Question
III. Sources
IV. Structuring An Argument
V. Drafting, Writing, & Polishing
VI. Making Your Presentation
VI. Research Ethics
READING ASSIGNMENT IN
Turabian, pages 3-23
Turabian, pages 24-48, 216-228
(use pages 229-280 as a reference)
Turabian, pages 49-62
McCloskey: Entire Book
Turabian, Pages 63-83, 100-121
(use pages 281-370 as a reference)
Turabian, pages 124-130
Turabian, pages 78-82, 131-132
Grades:
There are both graded and pass/not-pass components in the class. The graded
components are as follows:
Short writing assignment
Quiz over McCloskey’s book
March 30 draft of your paper
10 points
10 points
40 points
Final presentation
Final draft of your paper
20 points
120 points
The pass/not pass components are:
Initial presentation of your research question and sources. “Not pass” means
that you must meet with me individually and convince me that you have
remedied the problem. A failure to do so means a deduction from your final
grade.
Participation in your writing group, as evaluated by the other members of the
group. “Not pass” means a deduction from your final grade.
Your final grade will be determined by adding up your point total, making any
requisite modifications, and then dividing your total points by 200. The result
will be applied to a standard 90/80/70/60 scale.
This course is primarily about the process of research. Consequently, a failure
to do any part of the course can, and typically will, automatically earn you an F
in the course. Because of the actions of some past students, let me make this
as clear as I can: If you do not turn in a presentable draft to your writing group
on March 23 or to me when it is due on March 30, you will fail the class.
A Final Note
I want to emphasize the importance of writing and research skills for your
future careers. It is worth your time to work hard to improve your skills. Read
the assigned books. Spend time writing and rewriting your paper. And
remember that education is not something you buy; education is a process that
improves you. It is a prize that must be won with great effort.
“Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.”
---- Michelangelo