This is the course wbesite for LMU Economics 5990. This page will be continuously updated throughout the semester. Please check it regularly.
This is the capstone course of the LMU Economics Honors program. You will transform your research proposal into a polished thesis. The course will consist of lectures on technical skills such as LaTeX, as well as collaborative workshops and presentation exercises.
This course will demand significant effort and dedication. You will be challenged. Expect to devote approximately eight hours per week to work outside of class. You will: Write an academically rigorous honors thesis of suitable quality for an undergraduate research journal, produce and practice a polished, engaging research presentation, present at a public research event such as the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and critically evaluate peer work through constructive in-class feedback and peer review reports.
Policies
The Academic Honesty policies apply to this course. For policies regarding accommodations and disabilities, please see the DSS website.
Attendance: Regular attendance is required. More than two unexcused absences may adversely affect your participation grade. Written Deliverables: All written deliverables are due on Wednesday EOD unless noted. Late submissions will incur a 5% per day penalty unless prior approval is obtained. Academic Integrity: All work must adhere to the university's honor code; plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and possible disciplinary action. AI Policy: Students may use generative AI tools responsibly as aids in the writing process. However, students are responsible for ensuring the quality and accuracy of any content they incorporate and must verify all facts and sources.
Assessment
Final thesis: 40%
Final presentation: 20%
Weekly deliverables: 20%
Participation and engagement: 20%
Times
Class Meetings: Monday/Wednesday 11:50-1:30 (UNH 4110)
Greg's office hours: TBA
Schedule
All deliverables and presentations are due on Wednesdays unless noted.
Week 1: Project Introduction and Overview (Jan 12-14)
Deliverable:One-Page Project Overview
Submit a document (1-2 pages) formatted in LaTeX summarizing your research topic, motivation, and initial goals.
Presentation:Student Introduction Presentations
Deliver a 10 minute overview of the state of your project and goals.
Week 2: Introduction (Jan 19-21)
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJan 19 No class.
Deliverable:Introduction Draft. Submit a draft introduction section (1-2 pages) to your honors thesis, including a clear research question, rationale, and overview of significance.
Presentation:Introduction Presentation Deliver a 15-minute introduction to your research question, its importance, and your preliminary approach.
Week 3: Literature Review (Jan 26-28)
Seminar: Devika Hazra Jan 27 12:15 UNH 4304Deliverable:Literature Review Draft Submit a literature review (2-4 pages) for your thesis. Use BibTeX with a mix of inline and parenthetical citations.
Week 4: Research Design (Feb 2-4)
Presentation: Robert FrenchFeb 2
Deliverable:Research Design Draft Submit a detailed description (2-3 pages) of your research design (how you will answer your research question). Justify your approach with references if needed.
Presentation:Methodology Presentation Deliver a 15-minute presentation explaining your research design.
Week 5: Preliminary Results (Feb 9-11)
Deliverable:Preliminary Results Submit a (2-3 page) document presenting your preliminary findings. Interpret the results in the context of your research question.
Presentation:Results Presentation Deliver a 15-minute presentation highlighting and interpreting your key results. Address any unexpected findings and their implications.
Week 6: Revised Results (Feb 16-18)
Deliverable:Results Refinement Submit a document presenting an updated set of results.
Presentation:Results Progress Presentation Deliver a 15-minute presentation summarizing your updated results and analytical approach.
Week 7: Further Revised Results (Feb 23-25)
Deliverable:Results Refinement 2 Submit a document presenting a near-final set of results.
Presentation:Final Results Presentation Deliver a 15-minute presentation summarizing your near-final results and conclusions.
Week 8: Spring Break (Mar 2-4)
Use this time to advance your research or relax.
Week 9: First Draft (Mar 9-11)
Deliverable:Thesis Draft Submission Submit a first full draft of your thesis to get feedback from your peers.
Presentation:None No presentation this week.
Week 10: Draft Presentation Practice (Mar 16-18)
Deliverable:None No deliverable this week.
Presentation:First Draft Deliver a 20-minute draft presentation of your thesis.
Deliverable:Referee Report on Peer Paper Prepare a (2-3 page) referee report for one of your peers' thesis drafts.
Presentation:None No presentation this week.
Week 12: Second Draft Preparation (Mar 30)
César Chávez Day(Mar 31) No Class.
Easter Holiday Week(Apr 1 - Apr 3) No Class.
Week 13: Second Draft (Apr 6-8)
Deliverable:Second Draft Submission Submit a revised draft of your thesis incorporating feedback from peer review and a detailed response outlining changes you have made since the first draft.
Presentation:None No presentation this week.
Week 14: Peer Review (Apr 13-15)
Deliverable:Referee Report on Peer Paper 2 Prepare a (2-3 page) referee report for one of your peers' theses.
Presentation:None No presentation this week.
Week 15: Final Draft Preparation (Apr 20-22)
Deliverable:None No deliverable this week.
Presentation:Revised Presentation Deliver a 20-minute formal presentation of your research.
Week 16: Final Draft Due (Apr 27-29)
Deliverable:Final Draft Submission Submit the final version of your thesis with completed figures, tables, citations, along with a detailed response outlining changes you have made since the second draft.
Presentation:None No presentation this week.
Week 17: Final Presentation (May 4)
Deliverable:None No deliverable this week.
Presentation:Final Presentation Deliver a 20-minute formal presentation of your research.