For this final paper, you’re asked to analyze a finance policy of your choosing. The policy can be centered at any level — federal, state, local, institutional, other (e.g., philanthropic orgs) – and you’re free to choose any topic of interest even if it wasn’t directly covered in class (as long as you can connect it to the principles we’ve engaged with). The paper should be approximately 10 to 12 double-spaced pages of content and follow APA 7 formatting. You should include the following sections:
Introduction & Literature: Justify the importance of your topic and synthesize the relevant literature. This section should be relatively brief – you’re not conducting a literature review, rather outlining the necessary context and extant knowledge regarding your policy of choice
Policy Description: Discuss the policy you would like to advance. What is it? How is it structured? How does it compare to the “status quo”? It’s ok if your policy seems grandiose or idyllic – this is blue sky imagining – but be clear on how it would be implemented in practice.
Intended Outcomes: Outline the intended outcomes/implications of the policy you choose. Whom will it effect, both directly and indirectly? Where applicable, how will it impact various players (e.g., students, institutions, states)?
Tradeoffs & Considerations: No financial choice is without its drawbacks. Using the concepts discussed in class, outline the potential tradeoffs of enacting your described policy. Be sure to justify why, although there may be drawbacks, your policy is still a viable option and better than the alternative(s). Identify the potential counterarguments to your policy and from whom they may stem.
Conclusion: Summarize your argument into your “elevator speech.” Essentially, consider how you’d present this policy as a pitch to your college president, your governor, a state assembly, etc. Be sure to emphasize (and justify) how your described policy will help lead to a more equitable, socially-just landscape.
