1. Objective: This is a research paper. While you are not expected to present original ideas, you are expected to present your ideas and information in an original way. That implies that you do more than rephrase someone else's writing. Moreover, you are expected to:

   1. Use more than one source.
      
   2. Limit direct quotations. (When you do quote, use quotation marks).
   3. Use primary and/or secondary sources. (Each source should be indicated by a footnote or endnote notation with the source noted either in a footnote or endnote.)

   
   If you are uncertain whether you should document a source or statement, do so. Plagiarism is serious breach of trust; overdocumentation is merely disturbing.
   
   

2. General structure: Introduction (1/2; - 1-1/2 pp.); Body (15 - 18 pp.); Conclusion (1 - 2 pp.)
   
   
3. Writing: Your paper is expected to be written in grammatically-correct English, with the words spelled correctly. (Use a grammar and spell check, if you need to.) Take advantage of NYU's Writing Center.
   
   
4. Topic approval: You should e-mail me (at: Jonas.Prager@nyu.edu) with a proposed topic, a one-page outline very briefly indicating how you intend to handle the topic, and a brief list of sources you intend to use.
   
   
5. Possible topics: The following is a list of potential topics. They are only suggestive, since your ability to write on a topic depends on the availability of information  as well as your own interests.
   
   
   1. Financial regulation in ... (specific country and time period, e.g. France, 1980-2000)
   2. Banking crises and banking regulation (e.g., Asian crisis, Argentina)
   3. The role of the market as a regulatory aid
   4. The evolution and effectiveness of security market regulations in ...
   5. Banks and nonbanks: Should the rules be similar?
   6. A single or multiple financial services regulatory authorities?
   7. Problems of financial service industry regulation in advanced (or emerging or transition) economies
   8. The regulatory implications of megabank mergers
   9. The separation of banking and commerce -- is the division crucial?
   10. The analysis of a specific piece of legislation that establishes or modifies regulation of the financial service industry (e.g., in the US, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of `99)

Class presentation: Once you have been approved for a topic, you will be able to select a date for class presentation. At this point, it looks like presentations will begin on 4 November and continue each Tuesday until 2 December. I anticipate that each class will consist of two presentations, in which each presenter will briefly summarize his or her paper -- the assumption being that the class has read the paper prior to the class session -- make any additional points he or she feels appropriate (such as additional issues that arose in writing the paper but that the presenter eliminated), and then respond to class/faculty questions. My hope is that the class discussion will benefit not only the writer, but the rest of us as well.