Paper details
Macroeconomics Writing Assignment
The object of this paper will be to construct cohesive argumentation in the form of critical thought that
addresses your topic area. Your goal will be to analyze a thesis statement using the economic concepts
you have learned this semester. (Remember that analyze means to break a concept down into smaller, and
thus simpler, segments.) For this paper, “concepts” can be theories, principles, laws, or the like. These
concepts emanate from the Performance Objectives list found in the course syllabus. You will need to
research them and present your analysis with at least two quality sources, defined as scholarly journal
articles or books, economics texts, or reputable website sources (meaning .edu or .gov sources only unless
approved by the instructor).
Within your analysis, keep in mind that the reader will be asking certain questions. Anticipate these
questions by presenting orderly and factual information. For example, a key question might be: How do the
concepts relate to the factors of production, the four goals of the economy, or the three core questions
(assuming these are relevant questions)? Other questions that might occur to a reader are: How do the
concepts relate to the topic (or to the source)? What are the concepts roles in macroeconomics? What
analytical tools or methods are used to research the concepts? Are the concepts important to our daily
lives, or to consumer theory or market welfare in general? How have we come to understand or manage
the concepts? You are encouraged to include personal observations about each concept, but always
remember to provide vivid, original examples, not just recap ones you have read and studied.Submit your typed, 12-point Times Roman or Arial font, double-spaced paper in this container by Tuesday,
November 24 at 11:59 p.m.
This project consists of 10 percent of the semester grade, and will be judged according to the following
criteria:
(1) 10 points – Grammar, spelling, punctuation
Each grammar, spelling, or punctuation error is not, in itself, a one-point loss, but the number of points
deducted from the 10 total will be a function of the paper’s length, professionalism, and sentence structure
complexity. In other words, papers that are short and simple will be judged more harshly on grammatical
errors than more lengthy and sophisticated submissions. The rationale is that any points deducted will also
consider the amount of work completed using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
(2) 10 points – Length/Word Counts
The minimum word count for the paper is 800 words, but make sure these are your words. Don’t just fill the
paper with lengthy statements of introduction and conclusion. Get to the point of what you want to say.
Quotations from other sources are great, but they don’t count towards your 800 words. The 800 words rule
is an “all-or-none” test. You either have the minimum or you don’t, so all 10 points are lost if the minimum is
not present.
(3) 10 points – Sources Cited / References Used
You are required to include at least two references from a quality source (defined by the instructor) of which
one may be class notes or the text. Denote sources as footnotes, inline with your writing, or in a separate
bibliography (your choice). As such, it should be clear to me what is your work and what was borrowed
from your research sources. You should learn something from this source and include it (properly cited) in
your paper. Again, any quotations from sources do not count towards your 800 word writing requirement.
(3) 10 points – Clarity of purpose
Each paper should set out its purpose early. (For example, if you were writing about the concept of
migration within the topic of birds you would start by defining terms, explaining the types of birds that
migrate, discuss different migratory patterns, etc., without spending time explaining the color of the feathers
of different birds.) Straying from this purpose is not in itself cause for points to be deducted, but significant
straying from the purpose without substantial commentary on the paper’s purpose could result in the loss of
these 10 points. I will make my best attempt at not deducted these points in an arbitrary manner but
according to the degree I feel the paper fails to achieve its objective.
(4) 20 points – Originality and Creativity
You don’t want to follow a pattern of addressing your concepts then within each concept state questions
and responses to each. You are not writing a FAQ guide for me to read. Instead, organize the concepts so
they flow logically through your paper, then within each concept section present your facts and other
interesting information about the concept in a meaningful manner. Points will be deducted for “template
resonance” which is what I call it if your section on Market Competition follows the same presentation
template that was used in your previously-stated Theory of Private Property. This is an example only, but
the point is that these two concepts are too different to follow the same pattern; each should beg for its own
creative presentation. The topics allow you plenty of freedom to present research (facts or evidence) and
include your interpretation of the evidence, meaning your opinion, so long as you are consistent withresearch.
(5) 40 points – Critical Analysis
This paper is intended to enhance your ability to undertake a new subject, analyze it, then explain what you
have learned in the most cogent manner possible, even if it means explaining the same thing three different
times but in three different ways. Point deductions for content inaccuracies and topicality violations will be
sparse compared to obvious omissions or poorly-constructed facts or argumentation. This is my incentive
to encourage you to present as much as you reasonably can to cover your concepts. My best advice is to
prioritize your points first then read what you’ve finished last. If you have to convince yourself it is good,
then it is not the best you can do. Also, economics was born from socially radical ideas that were unpopular
at the time, but they were from people who followed their facts and evidence; opinions are welcomed at the
end of your paper, but your rational thought should come from your research, wherever that takes you.
(6) 0 points – Your Conclusions
Where I WILL NOT deduct points is in the value judgments and opinions you may offer in your in your
conclusions, meaning at the end of your paper. As a social science, economics can be debated for years to
come with experts being on different sides of major concepts and theories. Having developed these
positions from your learning experiences in life, in class, and through your research here, it is healthy to
state them but have sound justification for your positions. Also, do not be afraid to state a position based on
what you know today; positions may change over time –some say that is part of the intellectual maturing
process. There is no penalty here, but there is no requirement to offer opinions more than what you placed
in the Critical Analysis either. I want you to celebrate in your conclusions; be proud that you have them, and
never run from them.
Method for grading:
For each received paper, the points will begin with 100. I will first scan your paper subtracting points for
noted problems with: grammar, spelling, and punctuation (up to 10 points), word count violations (up to 10
points), references (up to 10 points), and lack of clarity of purpose (up to 10 points). Next, I will study the
organization of the paper and determine how many points, if any, are to be deducted for originality and
creativity (up to 20 points). Finally, on the third pass, I will read the paper in detail and evaluate the degree
by which you have provided a viable critical analysis. Each concept will be evaluated individually and no
more than the percent of the paper devoted to that concept will be assessed against you on any given
concept.
Note on Plagiarism
You should know how to avoid plagiarism at this college level. If you use quotations, make sure to explain
each in your reasoning and make sure to CITE ALL SOURCES.
ASSIGNMENT OF TOPICS
Concepts are assigned according to the LAST DIGIT of your TCC Student ID.
Last Digit
of TCC
Student ID – Available Topics – Pick a number below
0 1. What significant economic developments came out of the Bretton Woods Conference?
2. Should the U.S. adopt a monetary rule over the money supply?3. Is the money multiplier a good thing or bad thing? Discuss its implications and your view on its impact on
the US economy.
1 1. Can a gold standard be established and maintained in 2020?
2. Are there any economic benefits to trade tariffs? Analyze the effects on both countries impacted by a
tariff.
3. Evaluate effects of Chinese-owned companies in the United States being removed from the New York
Stock Exchange. What are the impacts on these companies? On China? On the U.S.?
2 1. How can we avoid major economic boom-bubble-bust events in the U.S.?
2. Using the example of AIG in 2009, should a company be deemed “too large to fail”?
3. Is quantitative easing good public policy? What would happen if it continued indefinitely?
3 1. Should the U.S. adopt a monetary rule over the money supply?
2. What influence does natural law hold over capitalist markets today? Are they really even capitalist
anymore?
3. Should rational expectations theory drive U.S. economic policy?
4 1. Why doesn’t Congress pass a balanced budget amendment? Can they?
2. Explain the US fractional banking system? Does it work?
3. Is 2020 a good time to make bold changes in the money supply? If you think so, should it be to increase
or decrease the money supply? Why would you argue this?
5 1. Is the Federal Reserve System a good idea? How can it be improved?
2. When trading goods with another country, why might one country devalue its own currency?
3. Citing sources within the economics discipline, what permanent harm has been done by the Coronavirus
economic shutdown of 2020? Do you think the economy will make a comeback? If so, how long will it take?
6 1. Should rational expectations theory drive U.S. economic policy?
2. What is the difference between actual inflation and anticipated inflation? What does this say about
setting government policy?
3. Why doesn’t Congress pass a balanced budget amendment? Can they?
7 1. Is quantitative easing good public policy? What would happen if it continued indefinitely?
2. Explain the US fractional banking system? Does it work?
3. Explain the history and purpose of the IMF. What achievements has it shown, and where has it failed?
8 1. Should all money be converted to electronic currency? Would this work? What are the pros and cons?
2. Looking at the Federal Reserve System since 1980, has it helped or hurt the US economy based on the
evidence and your opinion of the evidence?
3. Trace the Federal government debt since 1960. Give your view on what has happened and where the
problem is heading. What solutions could you propose to solve the problem, or should we even worry about
it?
9 1. Explain how Milton Friedman foresaw the stagflation of the 1970’s?
2. Using the example of AIG in 2009, should a company be deemed “too large to fail”?
3. Is quantitative easing good public policy? What would happen if it continued indefinitely?