Assignment : Margin Call

Write a paper responding to one of the following prompts:

Paper 1

For the final paper, discuss the actions of the main characters in the film. What were their motivations? Their options? How did their "world view" influence their decision-making? Do you agree with their choices or not, and why? Analyze their predicament and discuss the merits of their actions.

Paper 2

For this paper, discuss how the decisions made by the main characters influence the "real world." What did their actions do to the other Wall Street firms? How did they influence domestic and global financial markets? What effect did they have on the valuations of other securities? How did they influence lending, mortgages, and retirement accounts? And finally, what effect did they have on capital allocation and formation?

Group

You can write the paper in a group. There is no limit to the size of the group, and you can work with students from other sections of 306. When you post your paper to Blackboard, list everyone in the group on the top of the first page. Also, each member of the group must post a copy of the (same) paper to Blackboard.

Characters

Sam Rogers, Investment Floor Head (Kevin Spacey)

Will Emerson, Head of Trading (Paul Bettany)

John Tuld, CEO and Chairman of the Board (Jeremy Irons)

Peter Sullivan, Senior Risk Analyst (Zachary Quinto)

Seth Bregman, Junior Risk Analyst (Penn Badgley)

Jared Cohen, Investment Division Head (Simon Baker)

Eric Dale, Former Head of Risk Management (Stanley Tucci)

Sarah Robertson, Chief Risk Management Officer (Demi Moore)

Ramesh Shah, Legal Counsel (Aasif Mandvi)