Econ361 Disasters And Economic Assessment Answer

Task

Topic: Economics of Epidemics

The presentation should be on an economic topic that is related to epidemic risk. You need to discuss the topic/problem you focus on. 

Depending on the topic, start by describing the background of the epidemic in question, but not with more than one slide.

Then move on the describe the exact economic perspective you are investigating. Spend one slide on clearly describing what it is you are focusing on (for example, the impact of epidemic X on market Y in country Z). Again, you might need to provide some background (for example, market/sector Y is very important to country Z because….)

Then focus on your findings. If you quote numbers and other data, make sure the original source is carefully cited, both on the slides, and in the handout (see below). 1-3 slides.

End with one slide of your ‘punchline.’ What is the main message you want your listeners (who know less about this issue than you do) to remember.

As with the writing assignments, use (empirical) evidence to support your arguments and ideas.

The time in which you will be presenting has hopefully already been assigned to you, per your request. The presentation should last no more than 5 minutes to leave time for discussion (so probably not more than 5-6 slides). There will be 4 presentations slotted for each 30-minute session, and I will stop you after 5 minutes.

The presentation should rely on computer media (such as PowerPoint). Please bring the computer file to class saved on a memory stick and have it loaded on the computer before (!) your session. Always have a back-up accessible by some other method – on the cloud or web-based email, for example.

If we end up doing this online, make sure in advance that you know how to work with zoom, and know how to share the screen with your slides.

You need to provide me a printed handout (hard copy!) of a list of the sources you used in preparing your presentation. If you are using web-sources please provide me with an exact URL and a description of the site. This list should be provided on the same time as your presentation. Note that I expect you to assess the reliability of resources. As you well know, the fact that something is on the web (or in a book) doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. Always maintain a healthy degree of skepticism for everything you read, and try to assess its reliability.

Stick to your topic. Only discuss what is necessary for us to know to understand your arguments and findings.