Methods in Economic Research: A Course Proposal for ECON 485 - Prof. George K. Zestos, Exams of Economics

Download Methods in Economic Research: A Course Proposal for ECON 485 - Prof. George K. Zestos and more Exams Economics in PDF only on Docsity! Department Management and Economics Course Number ECON 485 Course Name: Methods in Economic Research This form must be submitted to the Faculty Council on Liberal Learning and Academic Life as part of the submission process. Please attach a proposed syllabus for this course and the Undergraduate Curriculum Course Proposal Form. DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: 17 December 2004 Please answer the following questions: Check Only One: √ This course is an existing course (in the current curriculum) that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry.  This is a new course that we are now proposing for this Area of Inquiry. 1. Name and contact information for the department chair administrating this course. Dr. Stephanie Bardwell, Chair of Management and Economics (4-7134) Email: bardwell@cnu.edu 2. In any given semester, how many sections of this course is your department willing to offer? 1-2 3. Why is this course being offered/what is it designed to achieve (Course purpose/goal)? To provide students with the necessary tools which will enable them to undertake applied research. 4. Check at least three objectives below that the course will address.  Demonstrate competence in the evaluative strategies of inductive and/or deductive reasoning  Distinguish between formal and informal methods of reasoning and apply each to solve a problem  Compare various methodologies of proof  Critique a fallacious argument  Articulate the structure of, limitations of, and/or comparisons between languages (can include artificial languages, natural languages, or both) AREAS OF INQUIRY INFORMAL AND FORMAL REASONING  Explore the structure of scientific reasoning and/or cognition 5. Briefly explain how this class addresses the above objectives. A course may cover more than three objectives. a.) This course relies on pure mathematics to solve a variety of economic problems. The use of unconstrained and constrained optimization techniques allows one to carry out such an analysis using calculus. b.) This course utilizes empirical methodologies such as regression analysis which is an informal method since the results of this technique depend on many factors such as the sample size, where and when the sample was collected, etc. This is unlike the formal technique of mathematical optimization. c.) Half of the course is applied econometrics. The researcher employs applied econometrics and relies on sample estimates to predict the true value of the parameters of a population. 6. Course Assessment: Identify how this course will accomplish the above objectives (choose at least one).  Participating in class discussion and debate  Engaging in teamwork and other collaborative exercises  Writing analytical or evaluative papers, perhaps incorporating original research  Making oral presentations  Creating an artistic product or a performance  Participating in fieldwork  Other means – please identify 7. Attach a proposed syllabus, which includes a statement of purpose, course objectives, and how these objectives will be accomplished. See attached syllabus. 8. Please identify and explain if this course contributes to the Foundations of Liberal Learning expectations for:  Oral Communication Literacy: Students present their papers to the class.  Information Literacy: Students undertake extensive research for a major research paper.  Writing Literacy: Students write a paper and take essay exams. 8. Explain how this course connects to Vision 2010 – the CNU Strategic Plan This is a course in research tools and applications of such tools, which will prepare students for empirical research. This course prepares students for graduate school by strengthening their quantitative skills. The course promotes Vision 2010 Goals A, B, and C for vital curriculum and Goal E for students. Submission Checklist: London Times New York Times Time Magazine Christian Science Monitor Newsweek Washington Post US News and World Report Financial Times Business Week Others Television News: BBC, CBS, NBC, CNN, ABC, etc. Radio News: NPR, CBS, ABC, BBC, etc. CLASS ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. TESTS, PAPER, HOMEWORK AND FINAL EXAM: There will be two exams, one term paper, a few homework assignments and a comprehensive final examination Two Exams = 200 Homework = 100 Paper =200 Class attendance and participation = 50 550 GRADE DISTRIBUTION: 90-100% A 80- 89% B 70- 79% C 60- 69% D below 60% F No make up exams will be given in this course. If a student misses an exam for a legitimate reason, the weight of the final will be increased accordingly. HONOR STATEMENT: Learning takes place through individual effort, and achievement can be evaluated only on the basis of the work a student produced independently. A student who obtains credit for work, words, and ideas, which are not the products of his/her own effort, is dishonest, and his/her behavior has an adverse influence on the standards of the college. Because this is so, willful infringement of the code for academic work entails severe penalties ranging from failure in this course to dismissal from the university. DISABILITIES INFORMATION Any student who believes that he or she is disabled should make an appointment to see me to discuss his/her needs. In order to receive an accommodation, the disability must be on record in the Office of Career and Counseling Services located in the Academic Advising Center, Room 125, Administration building, 594-8763. COURSE OUTLINE Chapter 1 Functions in Economics Chapter 2 Equations in Economics Chapter 4 Changes, rates, finance and series Chapter 5 Differentiation in Economics Chapter 6 Maximum and Minimum Values Chapter 7 Further Roles of Differentiation Chapter 8 Partial Differentiation in Economics Chapter 9 Trade and the Balance of Payments EXAM 1 Chapter 1 The Nature and Scope of Econometrics Chapter 2-4 Review of Basic Probability and Statistics Chapter 5-6 Simple Regression Chapter 7 Multiple Regression Chapter 8 Functional Forms Chapter 9 Dummy Explanatory Variable Chapter 10 Multicollinearity Chapter 11 Heteroscelasticity Exam 2 The research project will be due the day of the final for this class according to the University schedule.