Guidelines for Term Projects & Papers
ENV 555

Overview:
The central task of this exercise is to examine the development of policy on a specific environmental issue, and analyze the role of science in that process.  Students will select a current topic at the science/policy interface, conduct a literature review, analyze the policy issues, and prepare a review of the science and policy underlying the issue and influencing the policy process.  This might include, for example, examining how data were collected and presented by opposing sides, review of the relevant policy documents, and analysis of political strategies (media, public relations, education, etc.) for supporting a particular policy outcome.  You might consider interviewing involved parties, such as conservation leaders, industry spokespeople, and elected officials.

Students will prepare a term paper that

1) identifies an issue and provides sufficient background information for the uninformed reader;

2) presents the contrasting perspectives, as well as the interests of the involved parties;

3) examines the relevant policy documents, typically regulations or laws that give the force of law to a particular policy position (these may current or proposed policies);  

4) examines the policy process (rational or incremental?; pragmatic, market liberal, or participatory?; public hearings?);

5) assesses the scientific instruments and arguments presented by various sides involved in the issue;

6) presents an assessment of the issues and the strengths and shortcomings of the ways that science has been used to advocate for particular outcomes.

Research teams will produce BOTH a written document AND a class presentation.  The research paper should be one integrated piece, not separate pieces written by the different team members, stapled together. 

Length:  The text of paper should be substantial (i.e. greater than 15 pp), but it should not exceed 25 pages, not including any figures, graphs, illustrations, and bibliography.

Literature citations:  You should consult a variety (at least 20) published sources, in addition to using the relevant course readings.

Class presentation: Teams will present a 20-minute synopsis of their research findings to the class.  These will be scheduled during the final weeks of the course.

Grading:  Your paper will be graded on content, composition, and use of relevant resources.  Team members will also grade the performance of all individuals on the team; these peer evaluations will be figured into the final grade given to each person.

Publication:  Research teams are encouraged to produce a final version of their paper that is suitable for submission to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.  We can help you select a journal once your paper is well underway.  Links to journals that might stimulate your ideas have been posted on the class home page.

Time Line for Policy Analysis Papers:

06 Oct.         Topic    -     Finalize Topics and Research Teams

27 Oct.         Outline    -     Complete Outlines of Projects (TS/DS will review, if you wish.)

17 Nov.         Draft    -     Rough Draft (TS/DS will provide comments, if you wish.)

01 Dec.         Completion     -    Oral Presentations, during regular class periods on 01 and 08 Dec.

14 Dec.          Submission     -      Completed papers due by 3:00 p.m., in Tom’s or David’s office