General Information

Why the Apparatus?

I feel students need some hands-on practice when learning to conduct social science projects. Since there are no textbooks out there that do that job, I decided to write something simple and relatively affordable for students.

You will notice the elements are short and to the point.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank many people who have helped and inspired me to complete this project. First, I must pay tribute to Dr. Isabelle Carrier, Dean of the Social Science and Business Technology Sector at Dawson College. She has prepared the Tips and Tricks Course Pack for the Integrative Seminar Course, which inspired me to prepare this document. Also, I would like to thank Ian MacKenzie, head of the Writing-in-the-Disciplines fellowship program at Dawson. He has helped shape my thinking about teaching and pedagogy, especially about designing writing assignments in economics and methods courses.

Who is Charles-Albert Ramsay?

Wow, a great question. My last name refers to Scottish ancestors. An immigrant settled in Lévis, Quebec, with an Irish lady a long, long, time ago. Ramsay is actually a French-Normand name, from Scandinavian roots. My first name refers to my French-Canadian side of Rioux, Vinet and Couture ancestors.

I am separated and father to three children. After growing up in suburban Ottawa in a Franco-Ontarian household, I moved out at the age of 20 and completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in Economics at l’Université de Sherbrooke in the Estrie region. My master’s thesis was titled “Innovation Economics and the Geography of Patents in Quebec, 1972-1989.”

During my studies I was also involved in student journalism and later worked as a staff writer in print media at Les Affaires, and then as a chase-producer at TV-news station TVA-Argent. After five great years of writing on business and economic issues, and travelling across Quebec and even to South Africa, I chose to change career paths and started teaching at Dawson College. Being addicted to writing, I continue to write course packs and academic articles.

You can also follow my Facebook page: “Charles-A. Ramsay – The Economics Instructor”.

How to write an email to your instructor

Dear Professor Ramsay,

I have a question about the essay.

Do I have to read the General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, by J.M. Keynes, or can I use the summary on Wikipedia?

Kind Regards,

Max Domi

How not to email your instructor

HMMMM, Charles, do I have to read the book by the economist guy Cuz its really long I am confuzed I don’t understand this essay thing… CareyP

About texting:

Dont txt me pls on MIO