Kirsten
Wandschneider
Assistant Professor of Economics and IPE
One of the most important functions of this seminar is to provide students
an environment in which to pursue an independent research project. You
are expected to write a substantial (~20 pp.) research paper on a topic
of your choice broadly related to financial history that incorporates
at least some original research. Find a particular episode in time, a
particular country or area, or a particular event that interests and excites
you. Often students find it easiest to undertake a simple empirical project
that relates to your choice of topic. Look at the class readings to collect
ideas and feel free to see me during my office hours to discuss possible
topics.
To guide you along the process of writing deadlines for a research proposal,
a proposal defense, a rough draft etc. are set in the syllabus. The sooner
you get started on the paper the easier it will be and the more you will
enjoy the process of researching and writing!
Here is the handout from class with the deadlines
and suggestions for writing your research paper!
Important dates:
10/5: Research proposal.
Please hand in a 1-2 page research proposal that outlines the topic of
your paper. Focus on the key research question that you are trying to
answer and provide a short outline of how you will go about answering
it.
10/19: Annotated bibliography.
Please give a list of 10 sources (academic papers or books/book chapters)
that you will use for your paper. For each source write a small paragraph
summarizing the content of the article or book chapter and explain how
it relates to your paper.
11/16: Complete draft of the course paper.
By mid November, I need a complete draft of your paper, consisting of
introduction, literature review, presentation of findings/analysis and
conclusion. You will have a chance to revise the paper later but it is
important that you have thought through all the way to the end of your
paper and your conclusion at this point. You will receive feedback from
me as well as from your peers on this draft.
11/30, 12/5 & 12/7: Presentation of research findings in class.
Each of you will have about 15 minutes of class time to present your research
and findings. We will follow with discussion and suggestions how to improve
your work.
12/11: Final draft of the paper due at 5pm in my office!
As the semester progresses, we will post samples of your research here!