Econ 202

Economics News Article Analysis 1

Total Points: 30

Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to help the student to analyze current events using economic
principles. First, the student is expected to be able to summarize and demonstrate
understanding of the current event. Secondly, the student is expected to be able to identify and
explain related economic principles to the current event. Finally, the student is expected to be
able to provide deeper insight and analysis on the current event through an economic
perspective that demonstrates critical thinking.

CAMPUS-WIDE OUTCOMES FOCUS

The following assignment will assess the student for the following learning outcomes:
Written Communication

1.3 Demonstrate the ability to develop an idea through the use of concrete examples and specific details

1.5 Demonstrate appropriate methods of integrating and documenting outside sources.

1.7 Demonstrate clear organization of thoughts in coherent written form.

1.8 Demonstrate appropriate choice of format, style, and tone for each particular writing assignment.

Critical Thinking

2.1 Apply relevant criteria and standards when evaluating information, claims, and arguments.

2.2 Use appropriate reasoning to evaluate problems, make decisions, and formulate solutions.

2.3 Give reasons for conclusions, assumptions, beliefs, and hypotheses.

2.5 Exhibit traits evidencing the disposition to reflect, assess, and improve thinking or products of
thinking.

Submission
Due Date: Friday Oct. 26th by 11pm

Please submit your paper in Word document format through Canvas. I will not accept any
hardcopy of your paper.
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News Article Criteria:

- The news article must be published within the last 365 days.
- The news article must be an article NOT AN EDITORIAL!
- The news article must be come from one of these approved news sources:

 Newsweek  Washington Post

 New York Times  Los Angeles Times
 The Economist  Seattle Times
 The Wall Street Journal  Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 Business Week  US News & World Report

- All these news sources are available at the GRCC library. If you want to use a different
news source, you must get the instructor’s approval.
- The news article must be related to an approved topic that has been given by the
instructor.

Analysis Criteria:
Your analysis must explicitly answer the following questions:
- What is this article talking about? In your own words, summarize the article. (200 words
minimum)

- Identify, define, and explain the economic concept that is related to this article. The
concepts must be from the concepts lists in the chapters covered by the class. You only
need to identify and define 1 or 2 concepts. Make sure you give definitions to the
economic concepts or terms you mentioned in your paper. (200 words minimum)

- What other perspectives and deeper insight can you offer to the article given your
understanding of economics and what can you add beyond what is discussed in the
article? Read the textbook regarding these concepts and look how these concepts are
explained. What different or similar perspectives are given from the textbook? How and
why are they different? (200 words minimum)

Citation Requirements:
- Your paper should start with an APA citation of the article. For example:
- Delaney, K. J., Karnitschnig, M., & Guth, R. A. (2008, May 5). Microsoft ends pursuit of
Yahoo, reassesses its online options. The Wall Street Journal, pp. A1, A12.

Paper Format Requirements:

- Use 1.5 spacing.
- Use a standard font (such as New Times Roman 12).
- Use standard 1 inch margins on top, bottom, and sides.
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Grading Rubric
Format Criteria Points
Proper APA Citation (Learning
2
Outcome 1.8)
Meet the format requirement
2
(Learning Outcome 1.8)
Use approved news source (Learning
2
Outcome 1.5)

Content
8 points 6 points 4 points 2 points
Criteria
Summary of The summary was
the news Major points are The summary Content is
inadequate and too
addressed and are well recalled some inconsistent with
article brief. Most of the
supported. Content and information, but left regard to purpose
(Learning information was left
purpose of the writing are out several and clarity of
Outcomes out or incomplete.
clear. important points. thought.
1.5; 1.7) Points are unclear.
Explanation Explanation Explanation Explanation
of economic Explanation demonstrates demonstrates good demonstrates fair demonstrates poor
principles outstanding level of level of critical level of critical level of critical
critical evaluation and evaluation and evaluation and evaluation and
related to
thinking about evidence thinking about thinking about thinking about
article presented in the article evidence presented evidence presented evidence presented in
(Learning and application of in the article and in the article and the article and
Outcomes economic principles application of application of application of
1.3; 2.1) economic principles. economic principles. economic principles.
Paper presents further
Ideas and insight on
thoughts and analysis on Ideas and insight has
Further topic has some
the topic in the article. no support. Review The personal response
analysis of support. Review
Details and examples to demonstrates a fair to the article did not
demonstrates a good
the article support his/her viewpoint level of critical clearly relate the
level of critical
(Learning are presented. Ideas and evaluation and information to any of
evaluation and
Outcomes insight about the topic is thinking about the the dimensions of
thinking about
2.2; 2.3; 2.5) presented. A thorough evidence presented economics.
evidence presented
detail to support his/her in the article.
in the article.
viewpoint is shared.

Note:
- 10 points automatic deduction for not using the approved news source
- 10 points automatic deduction for using opinion pieces, blogs,
commentaries
- 10 points automatic deduction for not using the approved topics
Econ 202

Extra Credit Option:

If you include a signed document from the Writing Center that shows that they have proof-read
your paper and helped you make appropriate corrections, I will give you 3 points extra-credit
for your paper. The signed document must be scanned and submitted with your paper on
Canvas.

List of Approved Topics

You must limit your paper to these topics for your particular class. If you wish to do a topic that
is not on this list, you must seek the instructor’s permission before writing your paper.

Econ 202 Topics

Scarcity
Trade-offs
Opportunity Cost
Comparative Advantage
Absolute Advantage
Gains from Trade
GDP
Components of GDP
Measuring economic growth
Inflation
Unemployment
Business Cycle