Important Economic Thinkers and Events Project

Important Economic Thinkers and Events Project

The field of economics has been studied and discussed for many centuries before our time. While we sadly do not have the time to track the progression of economic thought and theory over time, it is important for an economics student to have a sense of how we came to this place in history. So, with that in mind, we will be working on this over the next couple weeks:

Students will select a major economic thinker or a major economic historical event and perform some research on the topic. This is NOT meant to be a major research paper; instead, just a glance at a historical figure/event and its impact on society. However, you will be REQUIRED to list sources at the end of your paper; but footnotes are not required. You must have more than ONE source and Wikipedia will not be allowed as a source. Lastly, you will be turning the paper in to turnitin.com!

Students will compose a brief paper (3 pages; partnership: 4-5 pages) on the following:

If you chose a person: / If you chose an event:
1. A brief (paragraph or so) description of era that the person lived in, especially the economy of the time
2. The key insights and ideas that the individual contributed to Economics
3. What parts of his ideas do you think have an impact today? What parts do you think no longer apply in modern society? Please say why you have come to such conclusions. / 1. A brief (paragraph or so) description of the era, especially the economy of the time
2. Discuss the event using major terms, people and impact of the event on the economy of its time.
3. How does this economic event still impact our economy and society today? In what ways does it not? Please say why you have come to such conclusions.

After completing the paper, students will then prepare a 4-6 minute PowerPoint presentation covering the person/event you researched. The PowerPoint should give a sense of your answers to #1, 2, 3 in the written essay; but you SHOULD focus on the major contributions and impact on today.

Students will also be required to type up and give to Mr. Dees a half-page summary of your presentation. It can be in either bullet point or paragraph form, but either way students must write in sentences.

The paper will be worth 30 points, the PowerPoint will be worth 45 points, and the summary will be worth 5 points. To receive full marks on the paper, answer questions #1, 2, 3 fully and completely in your response. To receive full marks on the PowerPoint, follow the rubric that is given to you with this assignment.

Students may work by themselves or with a partner.

This glorious assignment (Papers) is due on TUESDAY MARCH 16th!!!

PowerPoint presentations will take place on the 3/16, 3/17, 3/18.

A List of Possible Choices for the Project:

List of Economists / List of Events
·  David Hume
·  John Stuart Mill
·  Adam Smith
·  David Ricardo
·  Jean-Baptiste Say
·  Alexander Hamilton
·  Friedrich von Hayek
·  Thomas Malthus
·  John Maynard Keynes
·  Milton Friedman
·  Karl Marx
·  Alfred Marshall
·  John Forbes Nash, Jr.
·  Paul Krugman
·  Alan Greenspan / ·  The Silk Road
·  Exploration and the New World
·  Mercantilism
·  The Industrial Revolution
·  The Triangular Trade Network
·  Henry Ford and Mass Production
·  The Great Depression
·  Labor Organizing in the 20th Century
·  Immigration in the 20th Century
·  Immigration in the 21st Century
·  The Arab Oil Embargo
·  The Market Crash of 1987
·  The Dot-com boom and burst
·  The subprime mortgage crisis
·  Globalization

You may also suggest another person or event to Mr. Dees,

and we’ll see if that’s a suitable alternative.