Course Schedule

We will meet as a class at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday for the first, third, the sixth and possibly the seventh week of classes. In weeks 8 onwards, you will schedule individual weekly (or every other week for Fall semester only) meetings with me to move ahead on your research project. Also, plan on meeting with me individually between week one and seven.

Week 1 and 3:

a) Initial assignment: we will read examples and discuss the types of research undertaken in the field that is of interest to you. This includes both empirical and theoretical work and review of the literature. As you read selected articles, pay particular attention to the structure of the paper, the use of references, the sources for the data in the paper, if any, and the questions raised for further work. We will discuss these as a group in week 3.

b) Think about research topics!

c) Each of you will be asked to do a literature search on a particular topic that relates to certain industries or markets.

Week 6 and 7:

a) Formal discussion of one or two journal articles. Have a topic in hand by our meeting in week 6 and 7.

Other Important things to remember:

o You must receive my approval concerning your topic before you conduct a significant portion of your research.

o You must receive my approval concerning your research proposal soon thereafter.

o You must receive my approval for your power-point presentation at least one-week prior to your presentation date.

o If you do not meet with me on a regular basis you will not be allowed to present your work to your peers and professors and make adequate progress towards your degree in a timely way.

Office Hours and Email

Office hours: 2:00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Wednesday and by appointment.

Grading Policy:

Weeks 1-7: 10 %
Project progress/individual weekly meetings: 30 %
Attendance: 20 %

· Presentation and Final Paper 40% (20-20, the presentation will be evaluated by attending faculty and students on the following basis: content; answers to questions and presentation style)

These following policies apply to all students registed for Econ 4501: Research Seminar in Economics and Management regardless of section

All students graduating from UMM with an Economics or Management major must complete at least one research seminar course. This course is a guided research course that which will vary by subject and by instructor. However, there are two components common to all sections of these courses:

I. Students must complete an individual research project which culminates in a 30 minute presentation to the economics and management faculty and their peers. Other expectations for the project (e.g. case study, literature review, statistical analysis, paper, detailed outline) will be determined by mutual agreement with the instructor of the course.

II. Students must attend at least 18 research presentations by their peers over the 2008-09 academic year. This requirement may be waived under exceptional circumstances and only with prior approval. We hope to begin presentations in November, 2008. Look for announcements via email.

All Research Seminar courses have been scheduled at 3.30 pm on wednesdays to facilitate the second requirement above and other joint meetings of the research topics courses. Please sign up for the date you would like to present with you Senior Seminar Adviser.