The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate your ability to apply price theory to explain some interesting attributes of any chosen industry or to understand the effects of some public policy. Below are three suggested topics for your paper, together with suggested information sources on each. These suggested topics are intended to be merely illustrative:

you do not need to write on any of them. However, you can pick one of these topics if you wish, or choose a topic of your own. If you choose one of the topics listed below, you may use the sources provided, and/or find your own. However, you must cite at least two sources in your paper. While it is acceptable to refer to newspaper or magazine stories (a magazine that is particularly helpful in providing topical news coverage of these issues is The Economist, www.economist.com), at least two of your sources must be scholarly articles or books similar to those listed below. Again, remember to clearly reference any sources that you use.

If you choose a topic of your own, instead of one of those given below, it would be a good idea to clear it with me first, to make sure that the subject matter is appropriate and feasible.

In this case you will be primarily responsible for finding sources of information on your topic, although you can certainly ask me for help during office hours. The textbook may be a useful source for your paper, especially in providing the analytical tools you will probably need. Although it is fine to cite material from the textbook, the textbook does not count as one of the two scholarly sources you are required to use.

Topic 1: Is Microsoft a Monopoly?

Topic 2: Intellectual Property Rights

Topic 3: The Employment Effects of the Minimum Wage