Econ 415

Students are required to complete 3 writing assignments for the course.  Students must independently identify a journal or newspaper article that relates to a specific theory and topic described in class.  The best source of information can be found in the databases available on the SU library website: http://www.salisbury.edu/library/databases/alphalist.html.  ABI/Inform, Web of Science, Geobase, and EconLit all include environmental and economics journals and other related sources. 

No two students may report on the same article.  Comment and book review articles are NOT acceptable. Once your article has been identified, you must email me with the reference.  These will be posted on the course web site listing.

The assignment should include a ½ page (single-spaced) or slightly longer summary of the article along with three questions and answers based on the reading.  This assignment will be graded according to the quality of the review along with the quality and rigor of three questions developed with the provided answers.  Excellent assignments will include a well thought out summary that is precise in language and provides a thorough understanding of the text and related theory presented in class without effort.  The article review must specifically link the material to the text and/or economic theory discussed in class.  Even though they are short, substantial preparation is required for a quality summary.

These questions should be linked to the article, but also draw from the material in your text and discussed in class.  Students may not use questions provided at the end of the text chapters; however these may be used as a guide for the (format) preparation of such questions, depending on the assigned article.  Good questions require students to apply the concepts and/or theory learned in class to the article.  Review questions that require students to cite specific portions of the article are appropriate, but limit such questions to one.  At least two of these questions should be applications require the use of theory, a graph and/or equation to answer.  Answers must be provided in an essay format (i.e. include complete sentences and no bullet points).   

See the grading rubric, example 1 (article 1), example 2 (article 2) and example 3 (article 3) for further detail.  Also see the writing with authority in tips pages for additional guidance.

Note: hand in the summary and article on the due date.