Part 4. Student Writing Assignment
After the results of the experiment are presented and discussed in class, students are assigned an individual written assignment in which they are asked to demonstrate their understanding of using choice architecture to overcome the free riding behavior and to increase voluntary contributions to public goods. Students are usually given approximately a week to complete the writing assignment. The writing assignment is intentionally somewhat vague as we have found that this encourages them to carefully read the assigned readings and to think creatively about how to answer the problem. Given the wide variety of public goods - such as the environment, health, education - instructors are encouraged to connect this writing assignment to specific applications relevant to the particular class material. An example wording for the assignment is as follows:

"In their book, "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein describe how recent research has shown that changes in the 'choice architecture' can lead people to voluntarily make choices that improve their welfare. Similarly, the journal article entitled "New Hope for the VCM" shows how nudges such as simple changes in framing can lead to higher levels of giving in a public good experiment. The economics experiment used in that study is very similar to the ones that were conducted in this class earlier in the semester. Finally, the power of nudges was demonstrated in class recently. The students who were in the group that had the default of giving their money to a charity donated 25% <insert number for your particular class> more money to the organization compared to the group that had the opposite default.

For this writing assignment, clearly define the concepts of nudges and choice architecture. Relate the concept of nudges to the experiments and the course readings related to public goods. Identify and discuss at least three different examples of nudges that can be used to support public goods. These nudges can already exist or you can suggest new nudges. As part of this assignment, you should discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and real world practicality of these nudges and use the "Nudge" book, the "New Hope" article, and other sources to support your examples. Your assignment will be evaluated about the innovativeness, diversity, and the practicality of the nudges they identify."