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How did the American victory in World War 2 impact us politically, socially, and economically? What were the long-term consequences of that victory? How did it change our economic position in the World? What impact did it have on our culture and social expectation of Americans?

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World War II

How did the American victory in World War 2 impact us politically, socially, and economically? What were the long-term consequences of that victory? How did it change our economic position in the World? What impact did it have on our culture and social expectation of Americans?

What effects would legalization of marijuana have on the U.S. economy? Would it be beneficial? What are the downfalls? Must be unbiased.

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Effects of Marijuana Legalization on the Economy

What effects would legalization of marijuana have on the U.S. economy? Would it be beneficial? What are the downfalls? Must be unbiased.

Identify and show the securities issued by the company (equity, bonds, derivatives), show whether bond or equity have been more profitable in the last 6 months and make recommendations as to which securities you would invest in as a Fund Manager for a Mutual Fund based in UK. Clearly explain your choice. Value the option with a Black and Sholes model and compare with the market value.

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International investments

This assessment must be prepared and submitted individually.
The project should be produced in Word. It should be submitted electronically through Blackboard and will be checked via Turnitin for plagiarism.
The rules on late submission and plagiarism are applied and fully enforced by the School: Section 10: Academic misconduct (westminster.ac.uk)
The word limit is 2,000 words (+10%) excluding cover page, table of content, executive summary, and appendices.

You are required to:

Critically discuss Portfolio Theory and the CAPM. The discussion should include assumptions and shortcomings of the model and possible alternatives.   (20 marks)

Select a company ensuring it issues Equity, Bonds and Options and that is listed on the FTSE100. Present a short summary of its business, with focus on its financial profitability ratios and strategy for future growth. You could for example show the company’s EPS growth over the last 5 years and compare their EPS and P/E with similar companies or the industry average. Is the company diversified? What are their risk levels as measured by their beta. To gain a good mark in this section you need to read as much as possible about the company, including their latest annual report and any news/reports from reliable sources. Your analysis needs to be from the perspective of an investor. Please include graphs/tables (clearly labelled with data source) as visual aids.  (20 marks)

Identify and show the securities issued by the company (equity, bonds, derivatives), show whether bond or equity have been more profitable in the last 6 months and make recommendations as to which securities you would invest in as a Fund Manager for a Mutual Fund based in UK. Clearly explain your choice. Value the option with a Black and Sholes model and compare with the market value   (15 marks)

Critically discuss different equity valuation methods and identify the most appropriate method for your chosen company. By collecting relevant financial data from reliable sources (Bloomberg terminals, DataStream, annual reports, FT, etc.) estimate a price for the company’s shares and compare it to the actual market price. Clearly explain any assumptions made when applying your chosen valuation technique. Make sure to include all workings in an Appendix.  (35 marks)

Present your report in a suitable format: Include a cover page (with module title and code, assignment title and word count), page numbers, table of content, executive summary, explicit headings. A reference list is optional and only if you reference/quote external sources (e.g. academic/ newspaper articles, textbooks). The report should be clearly written in academic English, the use of any business/scientific jargon clearly explained. Formatting Guidelines: font size 12, text alignment: justify, line spacing: 1.5.   (10 marks for presentation)

Why might the fund management be interested in diversification into emerging markets? Are they right to recommend such a diversification? Answer these questions citing some empirical evidence.

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Individual Task Based Investment Project

You work for the 3 Rs Wealth Management LTD, an investment fund that specialises in financial securities investment. Your fund currently holds an international portfolio of equities including US, European, and Japanese stocks. The fund management is considering a further diversification of the fund portfolio and contemplates the possibility of investing in some emerging markets (in South Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America) or diversifying by adding different assets types including Fixed Income Securities, Any sector sectors Indexes, Commodities and Cash equivalent securities You are asked to analyse the optimality of such a diversification in the mean-variance framework. Your manager requires you to write a report that should summarise and critically discuss your empirical findings, as well as provide a recommendation about the inclusion of emerging market stocks in the portfolio of your fund. Your manager sets very high standards and expects a professional report that he can present to the fund’s clients.

Detailed problem description

1- Why might the fund management be interested in diversification into emerging markets? Are they right to recommend such a diversification? Answer these questions citing some empirical evidence.

2- Obtain monthly total return index data for the following 5 equity markets indexes, in US dollar terms, for the 5-year period from October 2016 to September 2020 (the names of the corresponding indices provided in parentheses), plus two financial asset indexes f your choices: (Bonds, Commodities, Derivatives, Cash indexes etc)

 US (MSCI USA)

 Europe (MSCI EUROPE U$)

 Japan (MSCI JAPAN U$)

 Pacific, excl. Japan (MSCI PACIFIC EX JP U$)

 Latin America (MSCI EM LATIN AMERICA U$)

 Index 1

 Index 2

Compute monthly returns for each series. Obtain the current US risk-free rate of interest.1 Compute the mean and standard deviation of each series and the variance-covariance matrix. Obtain monthly total return index for the US dollar-based MSCI World equity index (MSCI WORLD U$) and compute its returns.3- In order to estimate expected returns, you decide to use the CAPM. Estimate the beta of the six indices listed above with respect to the MSCI All Country index. Use these estimates of beta in order to compute the CAPM expected return of these 7 indices.

4- Compute the efficient frontier for (i) the first three markets (i.e. US, Europe, Japan) and (ii) all the 7 markets considered. Assume that investors can borrow and lend at the risk free rate of interest and that they are able to take short positions. How does diversification into emerging markets or other assets affect the efficient set?

5- In the light of existing empirical evidence and your own findings, what are your recommendations? Should the fund expand on emerging markets, consider new assets or focus to its current strategy.

6- Suppose that your fund is not allowed to take short positions in any of the markets. How would such a restriction affect the conclusion you have drawn in Questions 4 and 5?

7- Critically reflect on the limitations of your analysis.

You must produce all the spread sheet and graphs in your report.

Review the role of the ear, specifically detailing the external, middle, and inner ear. Discuss the structure of the ear examination and the variation when applied to special population groups. What specific questions would you ask when completing the patient history? How does the adult ear differ from the pediatric ear?

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THE EAR

1:Review the role of the ear, specifically detailing the external, middle, and inner ear.

2:Discuss the structure of the ear examination and the variation when applied to special population groups.

3:What specific questions would you ask when completing the patient history?

4:How does the adult ear differ from the pediatric ear?

5:Identify and discuss 2 specific ear disorders.

What were some the possible conclusions on the issue? Which choice was the most attractive or stood out? In compared to the other possible conclusions, why is your option better than the others ? What makes you finally confident in your conclusion? Did you de-emphasize, bolster, trade off, or collapse the other options?

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CURRENT  CONTROVERSIAL  ISSUES

Assignment: Research a problem and propose a solution, assessing the credibility of sources and accurately documenting all sources.

Write a minimum 1,600 word MLA-style paper (using quotes, a Works Cited page, and in text citation) addressing multiple sides of the issue. Include a one-sentence underlined thesis statement that is your conclusion after careful analysis of the issue. You will be graded for content,organization of ideas, understanding of critical thinking components (see list below), writing style (grammar and word choice), and proper use of MLA style (see links for examples).

Read, analyze, identify, and evaluate the argument using components from our class and textbook, and come to a final conclusion on the issue.

Use your sources (articles, statistics, quotes, authorities, and so forth) to support your position.

Include the following categories: (these can serve as your SUBTOPICS if you wish):

A) Chapter 7: Identify arguments (at least two for each side of the argument) FOR AND AGAINST your position on the issue and evaluate at least ONE of your arguments based on the FOUR TESTS.

B) Chapter 7 (pages 148-153) and Chapter 8: (167-170) : Identify logical fallacies (at least two) OF THE SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT YOU OPPOSE and identify which kind of logical fallacy they are.

C) Chapter 4: Identify vagueness and ambiguity of claims on either side of the argument (at least two total)

D) Consider/address the ethics and how ethics relates to the controversy (Chapter 16)

E) Finally, identify how you have used the FOUR PHASES (226-228) of decision making to make your final decision. This is a brief summary of the Four Phases, though the book goes into much greater details:

1) What were some the possible conclusions on the issue?
2) Which choice was the most attractive or stood out?
3) In compared to the other possible conclusions, why is your option better than the others ?
4) What makes you finally confident in your conclusion? Did you de-emphasize, bolster, trade off, or collapse the other options?

1C Research Paper Rubric
1C Research Paper Rubric
Criteria
Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Vocabulary, Sentence Structure and so forth 20%

Evaluate a generalization,, Identify vagueness and ambiguity of claims, Evaluate the Credibility of Claims and Sources, Identify Fallacies, and Consider Ethics 40%

The paper is well organized and easy to read 5%

Citations in the text and the Works Cited page are MLA style 15%

Credible sources are used throughout the paper (at least 5 quotes/paraphrase/summary). Sources are identified for ideas, facts, statistics, and so forth 20%

Total Points: 100.0

Explain how some gender, sexual and family dynamics in African societies are unique and how some are similar to other societies. Include in your discussion a reference to precolonial Yoruba gender norms and ideas around sexuality as alluded to in film “Rafiki”.

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Short Assignment #3

Assignment – Explain how some gender, sexual and family dynamics in African societies are unique and how some are similar to other societies. Include in your discussion a reference to precolonial Yoruba gender norms and ideas around sexuality as alluded to in film “Rafiki”.

Readings/Film as mentioned above that you can choose to reference:

Session 6 Readings/Films – Topic: Gender /Kinship
1) Amadiume, Ifi (1987) “ Introduction” and “ Ideology of Gender” Male Daughters, Female
Husbands : Gender and Sex in African Society “ London. Zed Books.

2) Kihato, Caroline (2013) “ Turning the Home Inside-Out- Private Space and Everyday Politics” in
Migrant Women of Johannesburg : Everyday Life in an in Between City.pp.90-112.Palgrave
Macmillan. (dont have this attachment but feel free to google if you’d like to read/use it!)

3) Njambi, Wairimu and William O’ Brian( 2005) Revisiting “Woman-Woman Marriage”: Notes on
Gikuyu Women in African Gender Studies. pp 145-165. Palgrave Macmillan.

4) Nyanzi, Stella (2011) “Sleeping With My Dead Husbands Brother” The Impact of HIV on
Widowhood and Widow Inheritance in Kampala, Uganda” in Fourth Wave : Violence, Gender,
Culture, & HIV in the 21st Century .pp 295-317

5) Oyewumi, Oyeronke (2005)“Reconstituting The Cosmology and SocioCultural Institutions of
Oyo-Yoruba; Articulating the Yoruba World Sense in African Gender Studies. pp. 99-119.
Palgrave Macmillan.

6) Online Film “Neria”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Un8wyhOQ0&t=2844s

Session 7 Readings/Films – Topic: Sexualities
1) Hendriks, Thomas “SIM Cards of Desire: Sexual Versatility and Male Homoerotic Economy in
Urban Congo” pp. 230-242. American Ethnologist Volume 43 issue 2 2016

2) Mbasalaki, Phoebe Kisubi (2019) “Women Who Love Women Negotiation of Afican Traditions
and Kinship” in Routledge Handbook of Queer African Studies. pp. 37-48

3) Nyanzi, Stella (2014) “ Queering Queer Africa” in “Reclaiming Afrikan: queer Perspectives on
Sexual Gender Identities” Modjaj Books Pty Ltd

4) Tamale, Sylvia (2006) “Eroticism, Sensuality and Womens Secrets Among the Baganda” Institute
of Development Studies 37:5 pp.89-97

5) Online Film “Rafiki” ( Kanopy)
https://nyu.kanopy.com/product/rafiki

Engage in a planning process to explore the best practices, challenges and needs as well as the best way to fulfill their mission. Also engage in a risk analysis, crisis management plan, fundraising plan, and a communications plan.

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Human Rights Campaign

Assessment and Evaluation:

You will need to evaluate the structure, internal process, leadership structure and organization. Students need to provide information on the organization, need-based assessment, mission review, power structures, key actors, and any relevant information that you believe will be useful to improve its performance.

Planning and Process:

After evaluating the needs of your organization, you will need to engage in a planning process to explore the best practices, challenges and needs as well as the best way to fulfill their mission. You also need to engage in a risk
analysis, crisis management plan, fundraising plan, and a communications plan. A strategic plan must be included in the report as well as a fundraising plan. Incorporate leadership, management skills and organization’s culture/change theory and practice into your analysis, discussion, and strategies. Final Presentation will be the products of your engagement with the assigned organization and logical conclusions of your evaluation and recommendation process in which you have been engaging throughout the semester. Students will use the information, data and analysis from the reports developed for this course, as well as readings and tools learned/ improved in our classes, to write a Final Report with recommendations for the assigned organizations. With the report you will demonstrate an integrated understanding of the theories, concepts and fundamental issues involved within successful management and apply that knowledge to an organization. The assignment includes an in-class 5 minutes presentation with your finding and recommendations.

Describe state electoral laws including registration requirements, formal barriers, voting registration and reforms. Why is voter turnout so low in the U.S.? What are the consequences of low voter turnout?

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Fall 2021 Final

Total Points 75
Identification (five points each): 50 points total

Identify each term by its definition and historical significance in American government. This is a four to six (or more) sentence response. In short, your response should go beyond a simple definition, but clearly identifies how each term ties into a broader importance (including significant complications, debates and examples) during the progression of American politics.

Party polarization
Sociological and agency representation
Political Action Committees (Super PAC’s)
Traditional Political Participation and Online Participation
Apportionment, Gerrymandering and Redistricting

Short Essay (25 points total)
Consider this portion the essay part of the exam. Your answers can be anywhere from three to four solid paragraphs (or more!). Choose any 1 questions to answer from the following 7 choices. In each answer, you will want to show a clear point of view and provide evidence from our readings and lectures that support your response. You can use historical examples, current events and Supreme Court rulings to etc. to frame your argument. The purpose of this exercise is to show that you are able to make clear connections between American political culture, political conflict, historical events, and political processes in American government.

Choose ONE question from the following:
Describe state electoral laws including registration requirements, formal barriers, voting registration and reforms. Why is voter turnout so low in the U.S.? What are the consequences of low voter turnout?

Discuss the political issues surrounding campaign funds. Be sure to include sources of funding, (ie. SuperPacs, 527 committees etc.), campaign finance regulation, political parties, and whether or not campaign finance reform is an effective measure for controlling excessive campaign contributions.

Describe the process on how a bill becomes a law. Be sure to include details included in your text concerning processes, terminology, committees, debate, filibuster and presidential action.

Discuss organization of Congress including differences in the House and in the Senate. You will want to discuss party leadership, the committee system, the staff system and the caucuses.

Discuss the patterns of participating among major social groups that might include African Americans, Latino, Asians, gender, religion and age. Are there specific barriers or voting trends among the groups? How does each group effect presidential elections?

Describe the types of election in the United States, including plurality and winner take all elections as opposed to proportional representation. What are the different kinds of ballots (or voting methods). You can also talk about the complications with electoral districts and gerrymandering during legislative and presidential elections. Finally, the Electoral College lends much to discussion. What are some of the benefits or advantages and criticisms of the Electoral College in a democratic system?

According to a recent study, almost 60% of oil reserves must remain in the ground in order to keep global warming below 1.5˚C. Impose a policy instrument and modify the period 1 and period 2 graphs accordingly so that the resulting consumption of oil (Q1 + Q2) will be such that that 60% of the 100 units of the reserve available (i.e., 60 units) will remain under the ground, never to be consumed. 

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Environmental Economics

Q5 (10 marks) Fossil Fuels
Consider a simple two-period model of a nonrenewable resource, oil. The demand function and the marginal cost functions are assumed to be constant in the two periods, as shown below. Note that period 2 monetary values are expressed in present values (already discounted). Note that there are only 100 units of this resource available, to be consumed over the two periods.

5a. Draw a graph below to demonstrate the optimal (dynamically efficient) resource allocation.  (4 marks)

5b. According to a recent study, almost 60% of oil reserves must remain in the ground in order to keep global warming below 1.5˚C. Impose a policy instrument and modify the period 1 and period 2 graphs accordingly so that the resulting consumption of oil (Q1 + Q2) will be such that that 60% of the 100 units of the reserve available (i.e., 60 units) will remain under the ground, never to be consumed.  (4 marks)

Then explain the reason behind your modification shown above. What is your policy proposal that can cause the change, as demonstrated above?   (2 marks)