Students will earn official letter grades calculated from the percentage basis, based on the following components:
1) Assignments (25%)
2) Presentation (15%) or Debate (18%)
3) Midterm and Final Exams (60%)
Problem sets will be assigned roughly every two to three weeks. Assignment deadlines are firm. Recognizing that students may face unusual circumstances, one late assignment is allowed and will not be penalized. However, late assignments will not be accepted three days after its due date.
Student Group Presentations. Registered students can opt for a research-based presentation or a public debate. In preparing the group presentation, students will be assigned questions and work as a team. The questions extend topics from each chapter. Each group presentation shall be within 15 minutes. Questions from the audiences are welcome. Notice there will be no make-up presentation if students miss one. Details and instructions please follow the course website Projects page.
Public Debates. Student must send an email request (with the topic and stance) to participate in one of the two public debates. The first 20 students will be given priority. The first debate is “Will Bitcoin become future forms of money?” and the second one is “Did U.S. government respond effectively in the 2008 financial crisis?” Details and instructions please follow course website Projects page.
Midterm and Final Exam. Each accounts for 30% of total evaluation. Exams will not be rescheduled because of travel arrangements. In the case of a documented emergency on the scheduled exam date, a make-up exam will be given, or the weight of the missed midterm will be shifted to the final exam, given the proof is received within 48 hours of the exam.
Academic Honor Code
All exams and assignments in this class are to be completed in accordance with the Barnard Honor Code. Columbia students commit themselves to the Honor Code upon registering for a Barnard course. “We, the students of Barnard College, resolve to uphold the honor of the College by refraining from every form of dishonesty in our academic life. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any papers or books not authorized by the instructor in examinations, or to present oral work or written work which is not entirely our own, unless otherwise approved by the instructor. We consider it dishonest to remove without authorization, alter, or deface library and other academic materials. We pledge to do all that is in our power to create a spirit of honesty and honor for its own sake.”