1. Department Choice
Every student must complete a SIP to graduate from Kalamazoo College, but the SIP does not need to be in the major department. Economics and Business students have successfully finished SIPs in other departments.
For example, one economics major did a photography SIP through the Art department. Another econ major did an Education Department SIP-- student teaching. Similarly, students majoring in other fields have written successful SIPs in the Department of Economics and Business. For instance, a Biology major wrote a SIP on Small Business Development. An HDSR major wrote a SIP on International Trade Policy.
You need the appropriate background to undertake a SIP outside your major field. If you have any doubts, contact a faculty member in the department. In the Department of Economics and Business, non-majors need to have completed Econ 105, 106, one economics elective, and a statistics course. Internship SIPs are designed for Economics and Business majors. Internship SIPs will only be available to non-majors upon approval of a written petition to the Department before Registration.
2. SIP Choices in Economics & Business back to top
1. The Research SIP
This SIP is similar to a traditional Senior thesis, where a student undertakes a major research project (typically 40-60 pages). This involves a substantial amount of economic or business analysis, including meaningful theory, policy, or empirical analysis. The SIP will have a descriptive section, based on library research, and an analytic section. The analytic section could be original data analysis, a new theoretical model, or an applied case study.
Research SIPs that do not meet the SIP advisor’s quality standards or deadlines may be reduced to 1 credit at the advisor’s discretion.
Student may register for a Summer-Fall SIP or a Fall-Winter SIP.
Two unit Research SIPs can be considered for Honors in the Department.
2. Internship SIP back to top
Experiential SIP (1 unit). Experiential SIP (1 unit). The ESIP takes place over the Summer. It consists of an internship or other professional experience pursued during the Summer before the Senior year. The ESIP consists of two components: 1) An experiential component which is documented in a short written description (perhaps 2-3 pages). 2) An essay (10 to 15 pages) that attempts to integrate economic and/or business theories and analyses on a specific topic, based on library research. References to academic sources are required in this section (at least 4 or 5 articles from reliable sources, such as articles from peer-reviewed journals, government publications or high-quality news sources.)
For instance, if a student works at a financial institution, such as a bank or a brokerage house, she/he could write an essay on recent trends on merger activities in the financial institutions; or on pending legislation on bank reform; financial diversification; statistical analysis of financial data; or even on gender and labor market discrimination as applied to the financial institutions.
Experiential SIPs can not be considered for Honors in the Department.
3. Coursework SIP back to top
In very unusual circumstances, a student may elect to pursue additional coursework as a SIP.
For example, a student with a very strong interest in accounting may elect to take additional accounting courses at another institution.
However, this must be done in conformity with the Senior residency requirement. Also, it is to be used infrequently when a student submits in writing a convincing rationale to the Department Chair. Credits for this will be negotiated on an individual basis.
Coursework SIPs can not be considered for Honors in the Department of Economics and Business.
The SIP is a major academic project and your will spend a significant amount of time working on it. Think carefully about your choice of topic. Many students have used their SIPs to launch their careers. Any of the professors in the Department are available to discuss your SIP plans.
A. What are you genuinely interested in learning about?
Students need to begin the SIP process with a “spark” or “thread” of intellectual curiosity. The SIP is a chance to design your own academic experience. You should choose an area to reflect your own interests. SIPs are a College requirement, not a department requirement, so you can pursue your interests in any field.
B. Generating ideas back to top
Sometimes it's easier to start with a list of topics and then choose one to explore in more detail. The following exercises can help you generate a list of topics:
I. What papers have you written for your courses?
II. Choose a class that you enjoyed. Look over your notes and syllabus and list all the topics covered in that class.
III. Read a copy of The Economist and write down all the economic topics.
(Or use the Financial Times or the Wall Street Journal or another serious news source)
IV. Start a journal of SIP ideas. Jot down ideas from the news, from class, and from your travels.
C. More resources back to top
Choosing a topic from Duke University
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