Macro
darub11
Econ 3900
Critical Thinking Through Writing Assignments
Project Overview Theme: You are an economic adviser working for the Federal government in
Washington D.C. President Obama has asked that you prepare two reports describing the impact
of the 2008 Financial Crisis on the U.S. economy, evaluating policies undertaken to mitigate the
resulting fall out, and proposing new policies.
Report 1 Assignment (CTW 1):
1. A description of the 2008 Financial Crisis and its impact on the US Economy. Please use
important economic variables to describe the economy and explain to the President why
these variables are important.
2. A description of the U.S. economy from the 2008 Financial Crisis until now. Please
include a description of the current state of the U.S. economy.
3. A description of the monetary policies taken by the Federal Reserve Bank
4. A description of fiscal policies taken by the Federal Government
Report 2 Assignment (CTW 2):
1. An evaluation of Monetary Policies taken by the Federal Reserve Bank. Use the theories
and models we have learned in class to describe the effect of these polices on the
economy in both the long-run and the short-run. Evaluate whether these policies were
successful in combatting the recession.
2. An evaluation of the Fiscal policies taken by the Federal Government. Use the theories
and models we have learned in class to describe the effect of these polices on the
economy in both the long and short run. Evaluate whether these policies were successful
in combatting the recessions. Include comments on government debt.
3. Despite the previous actions taken by both the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal
Government, the U.S. economy has yet to fully recover. Use the theories and models we
have learned in class to propose additional measures the Federal Reserve Bank/Federal
Government could take to further stimulate the economy.
You are encouraged to include tables and graphs in your reports. Tables and graphs are to be
placed at the end of the document.
Send Submissions to [email protected]
Submission must be in MS-Word (.doc;.docx) format. Save the file as
LastName.Firstname.CTW_X
Late submissions will be penalized by 10% per day.
Submissions Due Dates
CTW 1
First Draft (33%): June 27 by 11:59 PM
Final Draft (67%): July 7 by 11:59 PM
CTW 2
First Draft (33%): July 18 by 11:59 PM
Final Draft (67%): July 31 by 11:59 PM
Submission requirements
Your answer must be typed, used double spacing, Times New Roman 12 point font. Copying or
plagiarism will be subject to the University’s Academic Honesty Policy. All sources must be
clearly documented with both an in-text citation and a bibliographic reference. Failure to
document sources is a clear violation of the honor code, and will be taken very seriously. If you
use an author’s ideas, even if you do not quote them directly, you must cite them. This especially
includes any Internet sources. If you are unsure about whether or not to cite something, feel free
to email me throughout the process. Admitting that you don’t know something is infinitely better
than making a mistake involving plagiarism.
Grading of this assignment will be done based on the following: Identifying the issue(s): Clearly
identifying the problem(s), question(s) or issue(s). Providing background for the problem(s),
question(s) or issue(s). Analytics: Applying economic concepts to the questions. Developing
logical arguments. Drawing substantiated conclusions. Drawing connections between economic
concepts and real world applications. Communication and Structural Organization: Language
clearly and effectively communicates ideas. Assignment is organized with an introduction, body,
discussion, conclusion and reference section, if applicable. Grammar, syntax and appropriate
style.
Submissions should be limited to 10 pages of text. That is, text on the 11 th
page will not be
grades. There is no minimum page requirement, but you should strive to answer the questions
thoroughly. Figures, tables and references do not count in those 10 pages.
Please include an introduction and conclusion paragraph for each report.
Sources of U.S. Economic Data
Bureau of Economic Analysis – www.bea.gov
Bureau of Labor Statistics – www.bls.gov
US Census Bureau – www.census.gov
US Government Printing Office – www.gpo.gov
Source of Information about the US Economy
Federal Reserve Bank – www.FederalReserve.gov
Critical Thinking through Writing Rubric
Total CTW grading = Draft grading + Final version grading.
Total CTW Grade Draft* Final version
100 points 30 points 70 points
* Draft revision is mandatory, which consists 30% of total grade.
Please evaluate the work on the following skills using the grading scale, and optional writing comments.
1. Identification
Points 5 4 3 2 1
Grading Scale Excellent Good Average Fair Poor
Criteria
Complete,
appropriate,
no change
Complete but
needs minor
revision in
next cycle
Incomplete
or lacks
clarity
Missing
information,
inaccuracies
Do not
attempt to
or fail to
identify
Identification
Appropriately identifies the problem
Describe concepts and idea
Clearly explains assumption, background, and related theory
Cites textbook and appropriately linked directly to book
Includes essential information on what the concepts and ideas are for
Comment
2. Analytic
Points 5 4 3 2 1
Grading
Scale Excellent Good Average Fair Poor
Criteria
Complete,
appropriate, no
change
Complete but
needs minor
revision in next
cycle
Incomplete
or lacks
clarity
Missing
informations,
inaccuracies
Do not
attempt to
or fail to
identify
Analytic
Applies economic concepts (and related formulae) correctly to the given questions
Understands and solving the problem
Makes and analyzes logical argument
Conclusions are qualified as the best available evidence within the context.
Comment
3. Application and Critical Judgment
Points 5 4 3 2 1
Grading Scale Excellent Good Average Fair Poor
Criteria
Complete,
appropriate,
no change
Complete but
needs minor
revision in
next cycle
Incomplete
or lacks
clarity
Missing
informations,
inaccuracies
Do not
attempt to
or fail to
identify
Application
and Critical
Judgment
Analyzes ideas and able to interpret the result from analytical solution
Sees practical implications of abstract ideas
Analyzes real-world policies and processes
Clearly develops implications and considers ambiguity
Formulates pertinent comments
Includes discussion of validity of content presented in textbook and opinions
Critical thinking used in clearly stating own opinion and that of others
carefully cited.
Comment
4. Communication and Structural organization
Points 5 4 3 2 1
Grading Scale Excellent Good Average Fair Poor
Criteria
Complete,
appropriate,
no change
Complete but
needs minor
revision in
next cycle
Incomplete
or lacks
clarity
Missing
informations,
inaccuracies
Do not
attempt to
or fail to
identify
Communication
and
Structural
organization
Language clearly and effectively communicates ideas.
Organization is clear.
Assignment clearly has introduction, body, discussion, conclusion and
reference section, if applicable.
Grammar, syntax and other errors are minimal.
Style is appropriate.
Comment
5. Creativity (Optional)
Points 5 4 3 2 1
Grading
Scale Excellent Good Average Fair Poor
Criteria
Complete,
appropriate, no
change
Complete but
needs minor
revision in next
Incomplete
or lacks
clarity
Missing
informations,
inaccuracies
Do not
attempt to
or fail to
cycle identify
Creativity Conceives interesting questions
Finds new ways to analysis
Comment