Assignment 2: Project Paper

Due Week 8 and worth 200 points

The Project Paper focuses on a suggested topic related to art, architecture, history, music, or literature. The project will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities to be the creative, innovative, and critical thinker you already are!  

Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that responds to each of the items described in the topic. 

For the topic you choose:

1. Support your ideas with specific, illustrative examples. If there are questions or points associated with your chosen topic, be sure to answer all of the listed questions and address all of the items in that topic. If your topic asks you to do several things related to the topic, be sure to do each of the things listed.
2. While some of the topics tend to lend themselves toward particular writing genres, you are not restricted to the specific format suggested for the individual topic. For example, you may do an “interview,” a “proposal,” a “letter,” a “short story,” a “blog,” an “essay,” an “article,” or any other written genre for almost any of the topics. The project is intended to be fun as well as informative, so feel free to be creative with the delivery of your information. 
3. Use at least three (3) good quality academic sources, with one (1) source being the class text.

   Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page. 

Note:  Your instructor may require you to submit your topic choice for approval before the end of Week 5. 

Topic choices (pick 1): 

• Office Art Memo. Memorandum. Your boss, who knows you have been taking a humanities class since he pays for your tuition reimbursement, has tasked you with managing the art budget for your company, expecting you to choose various pieces of art for the new corporate offices.  (Note: Replicas of the works are acceptable since they are more cost-efficient and you are working on a budget.)  Include the following: 
  1. Identify three (3) examples of 19th century Impressionist painting or sculpture and three (3) Post-Impressionist works. Explain how the six (6) pieces of art fall into these two (2) styles. 
  2. In a memo, describe the appearance of your six (6) choices to your CEO so he or she will know what the art looks like and where it would be placed in the corporate offices. 
  3. Explain why each piece is considered to be historically significant. 
  4. Explain how each piece “fits” your company’s overall (or desired) corporate image. Keep in mind that a piece of art is supposed to “say” something about the owner, so describe what would these pieces of art say about your company. 

• New Composition. Speech. Your uncle’s birthday is in two (2) months, and everyone knows that he loves almost all kinds of music. As a birthday gift for him, you want to have a special piece of music composed in his honor which will be played at a family birthday celebration. Write a speech that you will make to the composer’s agent. Include the following:  
  1. Narrow your choices down to three (3) composers you’ve studied in this course. Choose one (1) of the composers and explain why you want him to write the “birthday present” music. 
  2. Explain why the other two (2) composers were ultimately not selected. 
  3. Specifically identify the musical elements in the composer’s style that you would like to be included in the new music written for your uncle. 
  4. Describe what sort of emotion is generated by listening to the works of your selected composer; in other words, what do you want your uncle to “feel” as he hears the music, and why is this composer so perfect for this composition?

• Harlem Renaissance Poets. Essay & Poem. Choose two (2) poems by different authors from the Harlem Renaissance. Write an essay that: 
  1. Describes each author’s role and importance within the Harlem Renaissance. 
  2. Identify the elements in each of their poems in which you see evidence of the “double-consciousness” being expressed by each author. 
  3. Fully describe at least two (2) primary themes you see in the poetry written during this time period, referring to specific lines in each of the poems. 
  4. Write your own poem that expresses these identified themes of the Harlem Renaissance.  

• Women’s Roles Then & Now.Script. Script a conversation between two (2) notable women from the 18th and / or 19th century on the roles women should play in society. Within the dialogue, include: 
  1. Biographical information for each woman. 
  2. The historical status for women in general during the time period in which each woman lived.
  3. What opinions each of the women might have on the role the women should play in society during their lifetimes. 
  4. What each of the women might think about women’s current roles.

• Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.

The Project Paper will be graded on:

• The level to which the instructions were followed.

• The extent to which all four (4) parts in the topic were addressed.

• The adequacy of information, examples, and details which support the general claim or main  idea.

• The clarity and relevance of the explanations and descriptions.

• Adherence to standard rules of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

• The inclusion of three (3) required references (two [2] additional sources besides your textbook) documented using APA style.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions specific to the selected topic. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for reference.)

• Include a cover page containing the tile of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

The Weighted Average Cost of Capital

Coogly Company is attempting to identify its weighted average cost of capital for the coming year and has hired you to answer some questions they have about the process. They have asked you to present this information in a PowerPoint presentation to the company’s management team.  The company would like for you to keep your presentation to approximately 10 slides and use the notes section in PowerPoint to clarify your point. Your presentation should address the following questions and offer a final recommendation to Coogly. Make sure you support your answers and clearly explain the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing the weighted average cost of capital methodology. Include at least one graph or chart in your presentation.

Company Information

The capital structure for the firm will be maintained and is now 10% preferred stock, 30% debt, and 60% new common stock.  No retained earnings are available.   The marginal tax rate for the firm is 40%.

1. Coogly has outstanding preferred stock That pays a dividend of $4 per share and sells for $82 per share, with a floatation cost of $6 per share. What is the component cost for Coogly’s preferred stock? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using preferred stock in the capital structure?
2. If the company issues new common stock, it will sell for $50 per share with a floatation cost of $9 per share. The last dividend paid was $3.80 and this dividend is expected to grow at a rate of 7% for the foreseeable future. What is the cost of new equity to the firm? What are the advantages and disadvantages of issuing new equity in the capital structure?
3. The company will use new bonds for any capital project, according to the capital structure. These bonds will have a market and par value of $1000, with a coupon rate of 6% and a floatation cost of 7%. The bonds will mature in 20 years and no other debt will be used for any new investments. What is the cost of new debt? What are the advantages and disadvantages of issuing new debt in the capital structure?
4. Given the component costs identified above and the capital structure for the firm, what is the weighted average cost of capital for Coogly? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this method in the capital budgeting process?

Submit your assignment to the M4: Assignment 2 Dropbox.

In Unit 1, you mentioned a possible “big idea” to pursue this term. For this week’s Invention Lab, you will brainstorm four research questions related to that topic or another one if you have changed your mind. These questions are what you would like to find out in the process of your research. After writing the four questions, write down what you think the answer will be to each question, based on what you already know. (Naturally, your answers to these questions might change as you continue your research, and that is fine!)

Here are some examples for a topic about anti-smoking campaigns:

1. How much money is spent yearly in the United States on anti-smoking campaigns? [Provisional answer: I really don’t know yet, but I read that anti-smoking campaign funding is going down and anti-obesity funding is going up.]
2. How do researchers determine how well an anti-smoking campaign works? [Provisional answer: Researchers can determine whether an anti-smoking campaign works by using focus groups or surveys to find out if smokers think that the campaign message influences them to change their behavior. Maybe they could also track a study group and a control group over time to see if exposure to certain anti-smoking messages causes the study participants to smoke fewer cigarettes or stop smoking.]
3. Is second-hand smoke really harmful? [Provisional answer: Yes. Second-hand smoke is harmful.]
4. Should the United States require tobacco companies to include graphic warnings on cigarette packs? [Provisional answer: Yes. The United States should require tobacco companies to include graphic warnings on cigarette packs.] Notice how the first two or three questions may lead to factual answers. However, any answer to the fourth question would probably be a debatable claim, which would make it an appropriate thesis statement for a persuasive argument.

Part 2:

Do you think any of your provisional answers might be your working thesis statement? Which one might be a good thesis? Please post your first attempt at a thesis statement. You want a concise (1-2 sentence) statement that clearly indicates your position.

You want to make sure that your thesis statement is persuasive and logical.

• Avoid informative thesis statements such as this: Many health organizations claim that smoking is bad for one’s health, and this has led to warning labels and advertising limitations.
• Also avoid illogical thesis statements. This one uses the “slippery slope” fallacy: Smoking should not be banned in public places. If this happens, the government will ban overeating and drinking in public next.
• An effective persuasive thesis typically includes a claim (what should be done, for example) and why. For example: Exposure to cigarette smoke poses serious health risks, particularly to children and those with breathing problems. Therefore, smoking should be banned in all public places to protect the most vulnerable.

What challenges will you face in trying to prove your thesis? For more on creating effective persuasive thesis statements, review the following Writing Center resources:

•  Give Your Paper Direction: Developing a Strong Thesis Statement 
•  Writing a Thesis for a Persuasive Essay 

The Unit 2 project will include your thesis statement, so this is a great opportunity to receive feedback prior to submitting your project.

Your response to the two parts of discussion should be approximately 200-250 words. Respond to two classmates with posts of a minimum of 100 words each. In those responses, note any challenges you think your classmate may face in proving the thesis and any recommendations you have for overcoming those challenges. You might also note other research questions and mention resources that could be useful.

Chester & Wayne

Complete: Case 6B (Chester & Wayne)

In this case, you have been provided financial information about the company in order to create a cash budget.  Management is seeking advice or clarification on three main assumptions the company has been operating.  Address Questions 1 and 2 at the end of the case.  Based on the case questions, you are required to provide a two to four double-spaced written report providing the necessary advice and explanations to management.  The written report should be properly formatted according to APA guidelines and demonstrate research and critical thinking skills.  Conclusions and recommendations should be supported by at least 2 scholarly sources, excluding the textbook.  

Address Question 1 by using a spreadsheet to prepare the case budget for the fourth quarter.  The cash budget should be included as an appendix to the written report and should be referenced in the written report.

Address Question 2 in a fully developed explanation of two to four double spaced pages to present the findings and explain or validate the assumptions stated in item (a) through (c).  In addressing Question 2, be sure to use the cash budget prepared in Question 1 as support for your explanation.  The written analysis should be supported by at least two scholarly sources, excluding the textbook.

Week 4 Written Assignment should:

• Demonstrate graduate level work including appropriate research and critical thinking skills.
• Be presented as a written analysis (not a question/answer format).
• Incorporate case questions into the overall analysis.
• Follow APA formatting guidelines including title page, reference page and in-text citations.
• Consists of two to four double-spaced pages of content.
• Provide at least two scholarly sources, excluding the textbook.

Review the simulation “You are a Supreme Court Justice Deciding on a Free Speech Case.”

Read Appendix B: Briefing and Analyzing Cases in Constitutional Law.

Choose a U.S. Supreme Court case that covers the First Amendment (free speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition). Do not use any of the cases mentioned in the “You are a Supreme Court Justice” simulation.

Use the Supreme Court of the United States website (www.supremecourt.gov) to locate a case.

Follow the FIRAC model in Appendix B to brief the case.

Complete the FIRAC Worksheet provided.

**Note  ** No PLAG Please