Senior Essay Seminar

The Senior Essay Seminar is two quarters long, with students taking Econ 191A in the Spring and Econ 191B in the Fall. The Seminar is for those of you with superior records who would like to building on your training by learning how to do research and then writing an original research paper. Completion of the two courses is part of the requirement for majors wishing to graduate with the phrase “with highest distinction” on their diplomas. 

The typical completed paper runs 5,000-7,500 words (10-15 single-spaced pages, plus references, tables, and figures) and can serve as a writing sample for graduate school and job applications and may even be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Completing a research project and interacting closely with faculty and motivated peers is likely to be the most engaging, stimulating, and memorable part of your undergraduate training. 

Class meetings focus on research methods, introductions to library/writing/computing resources, and student presentations of work in progress. Attendance is required. The meetings help to provide structure and feedback, but the bulk of the research process will be carried out independently.

The research process includes a sequence of steps including:

• • Topic selection

  • Consultation with specialist librarians to identify data and literature

  • Literature review and data acquisition

  • Devising specific analysis plan in consultation with expert faculty

  • Managing data and conducting analysis

  • Building from a detailed proposal and rough draft to a polished paper

These courses are limited to students with a GPA of 3.5 or better in upper division Economics courses and who will have completed the first two courses of the intermediate microeconomics (100A, 100B) and econometrics (120A, 120B) sequences prior to the start of the first course. Students are further selected based on demonstrated potential for research through a short (2-3 single-spaced pages) proposal of a research topic.

More details on the application for Spring and Fall 2024 are posted on the Department web page dedicated to undergraduate research opportunities.