ENVS 190: Capstone: Environment and Culture

Syllabus

ENVS 190 – Library web site

Announcements

Presentation schedule

Presentation practice rooms

Reference format handout

Final paper tips and instructions

A couple cover letter examples for the final paper – example 1, example 2

Form for feedback on group members

COURSE SCHEDULE

Date	Assignment	Class Content
Jan. 6 - L		Introduction to class and assignments. Paper project assignment. Formulating a thesis topic. Interdisciplinary environmental problem solving.
Jan. 8 - S	Bring ideas for project topics. A few topic suggestions from local agencies.	Discuss and select project topics.
Jan. 13 - L	Read lecture notes on research and writing skills and resumes and cover letters.	Review of research and writing skills. Writing resumes and cover letters.
Jan. 15 - S	Look up environmental jobs. Draft resume and cover letter due. Research to refine project topic.	Peer review of resume and cover letter. Finalize project topics.
Jan. 20 - L	Final resume and cover letter due. Tips for job interviewing.	Mock interviews and interview tips. Guest: Brent Haddad. Soliciting feedback on project proposals.
Jan. 22 - S	Project proposal outline and reference list due.	Project proposal presentation and feedback.
Jan. 27 - L	Read articles for discussion.	Exercise on critically evaluating the quality of articles. Requesting letters of reference.
Jan. 29 - S	Work on project.	Meet with instructors to get feedback on project and work on project
Feb. 3 - L	Work on project. Lecture notes.	Giving presentations – tips and example.
Feb. 5 - S	Work on project. Draft seminar critique due.	Peer review of seminar critique. Work on project.
Feb. 10 - L	Work on project. Reading for lecture. Final seminar critique due.	Grant writing.
Feb. 12 - S	Work on paper.	Meet with presentation groups. Schedule presentation dates.
Feb. 17 - L	Draft paper due.	Life after UCSC – tips for finding jobs.
Feb. 19 - S	Think about grant proposal ideas.	Discuss grant ideas in small groups. Work on presentations in computer lab. Sign up for presentation rooms.
Feb. 24 - L	Work on grant proposal and presentation. Draft grant proposal due. Paper reviews due.	Draft papers returned and discussed. Graduate school options in Environmental Studies (optional).
Feb. 26 - S	Work on paper and presentation.	Work on presentations.
Mar. 3 - L	Work on paper and presentation.	Student presentations. Grant proposals returned and discussed.
Mar. 5 - S	Work on grant and presentation.	Student presentations.
Mar. 10 - L	Final grant proposal due.	Student presentations.
Mar. 12 - S	Work on paper.	Student presentations and feedback on class.
Mar. 16	Final paper due by noon.	Finals week – no final.

Short Writing Assignments

Cover letter and resume - The goal of this assignment is to prepare a cover letter and resume that can be modified for different jobs. Please find an actual job that you would want to apply for and prepare a cover letter for a job application (no more than 250 words) and a resume/curriculum vita (no more than 2 pages) for a job of your choosing. Please see the class web site for various job listings. Drafts (3 copies) are due in section on January 15 (3 pt). The final cover letter and resume are due Tuesday, January 20 at the beginning of class. The job cover letter and resume will be graded on overall presentation: clarity, organization, conciseness, following formatting guidelines, fit with the job – 16 pt), assignment cover letter and addressing peers’ comments (3 pt) and style (3 pt). Please turn in a copy of the job description with the final version.

Seminar critique – The goal of this assignment is to attend and critically analyze an academic seminar with respect to the strengths of the arguments presented and the presentation style. This exercise aims to strengthen your own class presentation. In no more than 750 words address the following questions: 1. What were the 2-4 main points that the seminar speaker tried to convey and were they relevant to environmental problem solving? 2. Were you convinced by the evidence that the speaker presented to support these points? What did you find particularly convincing and/or what sort of data would have made the argument stronger? 3. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the speakers’ presentation style? You are encouraged to attend one of the Environmental Studies seminars on Jan. 12, Jan. 26, or Feb. 2 from 12:30-1:40 Mondays in ISB 221. You also may attend a seminar in another department or a public talk related to Environmental Studies. A list of other options will be posted on the class web site. Drafts (3 copies) are due February 5 in section (3 pt). The final critique is due February 10 at the beginning of class. The final essay will be graded on content (12 pt); clarity, organization, and conciseness (4 pt); cover letter and addressing peers’ comments (3 pt); and style (punctuation, grammar and spelling 3 pt).