Up to six policy paper proposals will be selected. All submitted projects will be considered and selection will be made and announced within a week after the deadline for proposals. Preference will be given to students writing about the U.S. national debt, economic growth, and/or macroeconomic policy and to those projects whose proposals are part of a team which would yield two papers with somewhat opposing views on an issue.
Research and Writing
Students will research the professional economic literature (and other potential sources) on their topic and write a paper (around 20 pages) in which they assert, critically analyze, and support a position on their chosen policy issue. An important feature of this exercise is that students will have to present their arguments in terms that are accessible to a non-economist, and this is quite different from the standard papers required of students in their economics courses. Faculty mentors will offer guidance and support which includes commenting on drafts of the paper.
Dissemination of the Policy Papers
Completed position papers will be posted on the Economics Department Project website with a summary report of the projects. Students will also be encouraged to apply to present their work at the Whitman College Undergraduate Conference in April 2011.
Questions or Comments?
Please contact the GOPPP Administrator
Dr. R. Pete Parcells
parcells@whitman.edu
509-527-5267