Sustainability Research Paper Assignment

Due Dates: Rough draft 2-2-14; Revised draft: 2-17-14; Final draft 2-26-14

Learning Objectives: To learn how to propose, research, and write a college level research paper. This includes learning how to develop an appropriate research question, evaluate and analyze sources, develop a clear thesis and support that thesis with scholarly research, to use a standard citation format, and to revise your work.Overview: You began this process last term with the research you did for your Annotated Bibliography. Now it is time to take that working thesis and refine your topic.Think of this paper as a discussion with other knowledgeable people or “experts” on your topic. If you were having a discussion with them, you wouldn’t simply repeat what has already been said by others in the conversation.This research paper is your opportunity to add something to the conversation. You might find new ways of looking at the topic and raise questions or ideas that provoke more conversation.This research paper may be argumentative or analytical in its focus. I strongly encourage each of you to read the five tabs on writing research papers at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/01/Instructions:Write a 5-6 page (1250-1500 words) research essay that incorporates at least six academic sources and usesAPA format and references. The reference list does not count towards the page count.The paper must have a thesis (a point) that is supported by your research findings, an engaging introduction, and an appropriate conclusion. This is a formal piece of writing and should be as polished as possible.Do not draw on personal experience in the paper; use the research.Balance your sources; meaning, no single source should dominate.You should consider the audience (those reading it) for this paper to be a general, well-educated audience(i.e., your classmates).Bring a rough draft (at least FOUR pages) to mentor lab 2-2-14.Bring your revised draft (5-6 pages) to mentor lab on 2-17-14Your drafts and peer review comments must be stapled to your final draft. Final papers without two draftsand two peer review sheets WILL NOT BE GRADED (i.e. 0 points).Once you begin working on your paper, it is a very good idea to run your thesis by your professor. We can provide suggestions that will help you focus your work and save you time!

 

Sustainability Discussion Activity Templates

Date you and your partner are leading a discussion activity: Georgi & 3/3/14

Section of reading you are responsible for: Chapter 4 & 5

You may choose one, or combine any, of the following activities to structure your discussion time. Budget 45minutes for your discussion session. The templates are here to provide some guidelines, feel free to be as creative as you like with them. If you have an idea that doesn’t fit into one of these templates, please let me know and we can work it in.Templates:Related Media Clip: Bring in a media object (film clip, painting, song, etc.) that relates to the reading and have students discuss the connections.Pick A Passage: Have students identify a passage of the reading they found interesting or confusing and use them as the basis for discussion.Free Write: Using a theme or idea from the reading, create a prompt and ask students to free write on it. Then use their free writes to focus the discussion.Small Group/Large Group: Give students an activity (e.g., discussion questions, a problem to solve, etc.), have them work in groups of 2 or 3 and then have a large group discussion based on their small group conversations.Create an Outline: Have students, either in small or as a large group, brainstorm all the concepts and ideas they found in the reading. Then, working as a whole group, create an outline the points of the reading.Discussion Questions: Formulate questions based on your reading section for the class to discuss. The best discussion questions are those that give students multiple things to talk about and cannot be answered yes or no.

 

Mercy Corp Field Trip

Mercy Corp Action Center28th SW First Avenue Portland OR 97204M-F 11-5 503-896-5747DUE BY February 10, 2014 For field trip credit complete and turn in the following (use the back if you need to):At the “leave a note” display, write a response on one of the pads and take a response with you.What did you write and explain its significance?Staple the note you took and explain why you took that particular one.What percentage of people from Zimbabwe have cell phones?Describe the photo that most moved you from the Syria gallery and explain why.Describe how, and why, Mercy Corp’s land titling program works.There is a display on how the Action Center was remodeled. What do you think are the three coolest methods/techniques/ technologies used and explain why.Watch the Electronic Voucher Assistance: Nepal video. The program to give individuals purchasing power after a disaster exemplifies the theory of which economist we’ve studied this term?Describe how, and why, Mercy Corp’s agricultural finance program works.

*This was just if you couldn't go with the class. If you did go with the class, we did the activities that they had set up for us. 

 

Martin Luther King, Jr.Day of Service

First sign up to go to the Day of Service event which took us to David Douglass High School. Once there check in and go to the assiagned group. Then listen to the speakers and talks and go do the actual task depending on what group you are in. After the task go back to the high school and write letters to help the high school students make a decision to continue their education or not. Then write an essay reflecting how you thought the day went, and how you thought you were contributing to the community.