TTh 9:40-11:10 am, Collins 217
Dr. Karen Arabas
Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences
Collins 214, 370-6666, karabas@willamette.edu
Office Hours: or by appointment
Dr. Joe Bowersox
Department of Politics
Smullin 333, 370-6220, jbowerso@willamette.edu
Office Hours: or by appointment
Final Paper due Tuesday, December 13th, 5pm
As a final project in the class, each student will prepare a 10-12 page research paper analyzing an actual or potential sustainability project and then share their research with the general public. Selection of projects is critical, and through class discussions, individual meetings, and even some outside consultations, each student or group of students will choose a research subject that requires not only an interdisciplinary analysis, but also will generate some "useable knowledge" for various sustainability efforts in our community and beyond. Examples of potential projects include: examining alternative transportation options/car sharing for a university campus; sustainable landscape design; citizen empowerment/capacity building in brownfields neighborhoods; incorporation of social and environmental sustainability modules in K-8 public school curriculum.
We will look very closely at the content, as well as the mechanical and stylistic elements of your precis, drafts, and final draft. The research paper will combine a literature review with original ideas, demonstrate a concern for use of proper methods and resources, and provide applicable information for decision makers and community groups. Students will draw on a mix of resources, including primary sources, interviews, government documents, planning documents, and experts in the field.
Please note the following basic requirements for the research paper:
• 10-12 typed pages or equivalent
• double spaced
• pages numbered
• citations and reference list in APA format
• cover page (Title of project, your name, e-mail address, date)
• abstract
In addition:
• you must use a standardized format for your headings, citations, and references
• issues of grammar and style are best addressed using Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writing Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations and Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.
1) The Paper. In keeping with our commitment in this course to reduce our use of paper, printer toner, ink, and energy, we ask that you submit your paper to us electronically as a pdf file. (Convert your .doc file to .pdf using the print command. Instead of sending the document to a printer, you have the option of saving it as a pdf file. Please do so, and e-mail the pdf file to both Prof B and Prof A). We will post the papers on the course website and the Willamette Sustainability website in an effort to make your project available to as many people as possible. We strongly encourage you to send an electronic copy of your paper to anyone who helped you with your project.
2) Reflections on the Project. In addition to the paper please submit a one page (single spaced) reflection on your project. In this reflection please address the following:
-What are the strengths of your project?
-If you could start the project over again, what woul
d you do differently and why?
-How well prepared were you for successfully completing the project?
-What is the most important thing you learned while doing your project?
-What do you hope others take from your project?
In addition to writing the research paper, students will summarize their research and highlight its practical implications in a 15 minute public presentation on November 29th or December 1st. These presentations will be advertised and open to the general public. This is just one opportunity for your work to make a difference--campus administrators, community leaders, and others interested in sustainability specifically will be invited. You are welcome to invite family and friends. Use of Powerpoint is highly encouraged.