Instructions For Writing The Term Paper This Assignment Requ

Instructions For Writing The Term Paperthis Assignment Requires You To

This assignment requires you to write a 6-10 page paper, including bibliography and references, on a topic in the history of economic thought. The proposal (a typed outline that includes the sources you propose to consult) earns you up to five points and is due by 6 PM on Tuesday, October 15. The paper itself earns you up to twenty points and is due by 6 PM on Thursday, November 14. Together, the proposal and the paper are worth 25% of the final grade.

The proposal is not a summary of the paper; it is a plan that should outline your chosen topic and preliminary sources, to be written before the full paper. Your topic should relate to an aspect of the history of economic thought, such as the life and work of an economist active before 1939, a school of economic thought in a particular country, the development of economic ideas or policies over time, or how economists have presented and analyzed specific topics or events in economic history.

Possible topics include the work of economists like Adam Smith or J. M. Keynes, the evolution of economic schools such as institutional economics in the U.S., the development of a specific theory such as comparative advantage, or an analysis of economic debates like trade policy or responses to the Great Depression. Topics must exclude works or events after World War II. Focus your topic narrowly and clearly to facilitate in-depth analysis. If unsure, consult your instructor via email or in person before proceeding.

For research, consult resources like Alessandro Roncaglia’s A Brief History of Economic Thought (2017), the New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics (1987 and 2018 editions), and the library’s holdings on the history of economic thought. Use credible online sources judiciously, always citing full URLs and access dates to ensure academic rigor.

How to write the paper

Your paper must be typed in Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides. The length should be between 6 and 10 pages of main text (excluding bibliography), with a word count on the cover page. Include your full name and the word count on the cover sheet. Use diagrams sparingly and label them clearly. A bibliography or references section in a consistent format must be attached at the end. Incorporate in-text citations of your sources.

The paper should feature a structured introduction, a coherent body with well-developed paragraphs, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reflects on your findings. Clarify how your chosen economist or topic contributed to the development of economic thought, and analyze different perspectives where relevant. Avoid overly broad topics; specificity enhances analysis and clarity. Length is crucial—papers too short may lose points, and exceeding 2500 words should be justified by substantive content.

Proposal Sample

In the sample proposal, the student selected Adam Smith, emphasizing his role as the cornerstone of classical economics, focusing on his views on free trade and his historical background. The proposal also plans to compare Smith’s ideas with those of David Ricardo, particularly contrasting free trade principles and the theory of comparative advantage. The student outlines the research plan, including key references like Richard M. Ebeling’s work and Smith’s Wealth of Nations. The outline specifies the structure of the final paper, including sections on economic development in Britain, Smith’s economic philosophy, and the evolution of free trade theory.

This process exemplifies a focused and well-organized approach to the research and writing task, which helps ensure clarity and depth in the final term paper.

References

• Ebeling, R. M. (2014). Economic Ideas: Adam Smith on Free Trade, Crony Capitalism, and the Benefits from Commercial Society.
• Smith, A. (1776). Wealth of Nations.
• Roncaglia, A. (2017). A Brief History of Economic Thought. Cambridge University Press.
• Garrett, G. P. (2004). The Development of Modern Economics: The Evolution of the Theories of Adam Smith to John Maynard Keynes.
• Blaug, M. (1980). The Foundations of Economics: The Theory of Human Behaviour and the News of Economic Doctrines.
• Heilbroner, R. L. (1999). The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times, and Ideas of the Great Economic Thinkers.
• McLure, M. (2012). The Evolution of Economic Thought. Pearson.
• Hont, I. (2015). The Difficult Origin of Liberalism: On Adam Smith and the Conditions of Political Economy.
• Clarke, P. (1990). The Two Faces of Adam Smith: The Virtues and Vices of Free Markets.
• Backhouse, R. E. (2002). The Ordinary Business of Economics: A Review of the History of Economics Thought.