Project Instructions

For this project, you will do some research into an economic matter that affects your local community. Select an economic event in the place where you live—a new business opening, a business closing, a factory laying off workers, construction of a new road or freeway, a law or policy that affects farming in your area, etc. Choose an event that occurred within the last two years.

Use what you have learned in Unit 1 of this course to analyze the matter. First of all, explain the decision that was made (opening a new business, appropriating farmland for housing development, closing a factory, etc.) Then, explain how this decision provided an answer for each of the three key economic questions.

Begin typing your paper in the space provided at the end of this project assignment document. Your paper should be three pages (900 words) in length. Double-space your text and leave one-inch margins on all sides. Your paper will be graded according to the following criteria:

__________ of 15 points. Provide a summary of the event—what issues were involved, what actually happened, and what economic decision was made. Your summary should be written so that someone without previous knowledge of the matter can understand it. (Assume your teacher will NOT know anything about it.)

__________ of 15 points. Based on your research, express a point of view about whether this decision will be beneficial to your community. What impact will it have? What gains will it bring, and will it cause any complications or problems? (You can elaborate on these ideas as you discuss the three economic questions. Support your position with facts.)

__________ of 15 points. Discuss how the decision affects production of goods and services. What goods and services will be affected by what happened? How and why does this event affect production of these goods and services?

__________ of 15 points. What does the decision suggest about who should produce goods and services? If your event encourages production of a good or service, who will produce it? If your event restricts or limits production, who will probably assume responsibility for it?

__________ of 15 points. How will the event affect consumers? If your event encourages production, who will consume the goods and services produced? If your event restricts or limits production, how will it affect consumers?

__________ of 15 points. Use of sources. You must use at least two sources in your research. One of them must be an article from a newspaper or online. The other may be another article, or you may use a news broadcast, a flyer, brochure, or advertisement from a business, or an interview with a person directly involved in the matter (an employee from the business, city council member, etc.) If you use an interview, identify the person and explain how the person is connected to the event. Be sure to get the person’s permission BEFORE starting the interview.

__________ of 10 points. Mechanics and conventions. Your paper should be well organized, without any errors in spelling, capitalization, or punctuation. If you are unsure about spelling or punctuation, consult a dictionary or a grammar guide. Include a bibliography for your sources at the end of your paper. Cite all sources in the format of The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which is commonly used for business papers. You can find this manual at your local library or do an Internet search for APA guidelines.