Money and Banking
Guidance for the Term Paper
Writing a term paper is a learning and training process. Rather than simply deducting points for the mistakes made after it is turned in, I believe it is better and more useful to tell students the standard and criteria for the paper so that you will learn to do the right thing and fix those potential mistakes when writing it. Basically, this guidance is so designed that if you follow the instructions step by step, you should expect a full score or a very close one to it for your paper!
- Deadlines: Late submission is subject to point deduction by the rule that 10% point is deducted if one day late, 20% points are deducted if 2 days late, …… .Note that you must turn in Final Draft as scheduled.
- First draft and the final draft. The first draft is mainly for feedback purpose. It will be “graded” with my comments for your further revision but it will not really count, except the late submission penalty. The final draft will count, graded on the quality and improvement made compared with the first draft. When you submit the final draft, make sure also turn in the first draft together with my comments/feedback.
- Standard and Criterion Sheet. This is a check list for you before submitting it. I will grade your paper (both drafts) by comparing it with the same criteria specified in this list.[unique_solution]
- Format: Both drafts must be typed in double space, size 12 with 1’ margin on all sides, 6 – 10 page long for main text, excluding cover page, references or appendix, page numbered, and stapled (if submitting a hard copy). A cover (tittle) page is needed with the title of your paper, your name(s), the date submitted, and an abstract of 100-150 words. Fancy or expensive decoration is unnecessary.
- Topic: You may choose one from suggested topics as suggested below. Also, you are encouraged to pick your own topic for the paper: For a good topic other than from the following list – so good that I will add it to the list, you will get 3 bonus points for the course total.
If you have an idea for your paper, please feel free to talk with me. When you choose a topic not listed below, make sure it is related to this course. A topic not related to this course, at my judge, will lead to a “ZERO” for the term paper no matter how well it is written. Don’t assume it, confirm it with me.
List of suggested topics.
- How to invest in bonds? Imagine you are a financial planner and need to answer this general question from your client. Do you suggest to buy bond directly or to invest in bond mutual funds? Why?
- List as many as possible often-used means of payments in the real world. Judge whether each of them is money, and explain why or why not. How about crypocurrency: are they money?
- If the tax on the dividends will be eliminated, what happen to the prices of those dividends paying stocks? If you choose this topic, you need not only give some intuitive discussion, but also either derived your conclusion theoretically, or do some empirical work based on data, say, from internet sources. Also, you should address how much impact this tax policy could have on the economy, such as long-run growth and short-run business cycle?
- Why are some financial institutions sponsored by the Federal government? How do they work? Which kind of role did they played in the financial crisis? (Eg. GNMA, FNMA, SLMA, VH, Farm Credit system, etc.)
- Check the yellow page or interview branches (if possible), find out most, if not all, of the financial institutions in your town. You should discuss their business in detail one in each category (commercial bank, credit union, S&L, financial service).
- Compare at least 5 local banks (depository institutions). Give all the different accounts/service they offer, find how these accounts are different (service, rates, requirement, etc.), whom they fit best, how is the rate for a newly issues CD determined, etc. (the banks must be from your local, rather than ones listed in internet and you never see them physically).
- Study the economic aspects of FDIC and its functions.
- What does the Federal Reserve Chairman do? Choose one Fed chairman to evaluate.
- Evaluate the performance of Fed in the last 5 years.
- What are the traditional instruments for monetary policies and what are new ones developed during the financial crisis? Please analyze the their impact on the U.S. economy.
Suggestions welcome!