Economics 341/Environmental Science 341:

Policy Paper

The capstone element of the course and field trip will be individual student “policy papers” providing assessment of the field trip issues and recommendations for moving the region and its problems towards sustainability.  Such recommendations will draw upon the theories, concepts and tools studied and outlined in the “theory survey” and the “field notes” from the field trip in making specific suggestions for transition towards sustainability. The objective is for each student paper to provide a vision of sustainability for the region studied, including its ecological, social, and economic aspects, and an agenda as well as recommended set of tools for making the transition to regional sustainability.

This paper is a major part of the course.  It is intended as a way for each student, individually, to synthesize the course readings, class sessions, and field visits so as to shape your thinking and allow you to come to terms with the challenges of making a societal transition to sustainability. 

Your paper is expected to be about 12 pages long, typed double-spaced (attachments such as diagrams, maps, etc. may be extra).  It must be neat, proofread, and reflective of your grasp of the course topic.  Be sure to use footnotes, endnotes, or other means of citing particular written materials, talks, or field visits. 

To make your Policy Paper more relevant and interesting consider addressing it to a decision-maker, such as the Governor, a public lands manager, or some other authority with some power to make changes required.  Alternatively consider focusing your paper on a constituency, such as the next generation that will look back upon what we do now and wonder “what were they thinking back then?”  Other formats are also feasible; but you should discuss what you intend with the course instructor well before you start to write this paper.

Make sure your paper provides a concise description of the region being studied and its particular issues and problems observed and studied during the fieldtrip.  Also by drawing upon your Theory Survey inform the reader about the theoretical foundations of ecological economics and sustainability that provide a framework for suggesting how the region and its issues can move towards sustainability.  Finally be sure that you make specific policy recommendations and identify the entities or constituencies that must change their behavior if sustainability is to be achieved.  Supplement your written analysis with maps, pictures, and diagrams as is appropriate. 

The person receiving this paper will judge  (i.e. grade) its usefulness by how well you carry out this assignment. 

You are encouraged to talk with individuals you encounter on the field trip since they are valuable resources with first-hand knowledge of the region and expertise in their respective fields.  You are also encouraged to talk with the course instructor about how you plan to structure and write your paper. 

Be sure to sign the Honor Code before turning in your paper.

Also consider placing your paper on your personal Web Site as an example of what you can do in this course with the paper assignment.

This paper is due by Noon on the last day of the Block, printed out, 3 hole punched and placed in the proper section of your Course Notebook that is due at the same time.  You are encouraged also to turn in a copy of your paper on a computer disk, placed in the front flap of your Notebook.

Be sure that your completed paper meets the attached Check List for completed papers; these guidelines will assure that your paper is acceptable and can earn the highest grade possible for the quality of work performed.
 

Check List For Ecological Economics Policy Paper Completion

1. Use a fresh, dark printer ribbon to print your paper!

2. Cite materials you use either with shorthand references in the body of the paper or as footnotes. ALSO list these materials in a bibliography at the end of the paper.

3. Be explicit in using the theory and concepts from the text and class. Much of your grade will depend upon the sophistication with which you do this.

4. Put graphs right behind the page(s) where they are discussed or if you are drawing them with the computer on the page where you discuss them, never put all of your graphs together at the end of the paper.

5. Number the pages of your paper; if you wish, have the computer generate numbers for pages of text, then number by hand pages with graphs xx-a, xx-b, etc. and insert them following page xx which explains the graphs.

6. Proofread your paper before you turn it in.

7. Sign the Honor Code.

8. Relax, and look upon the paper as an opportunity to consolidate and demonstrate to yourself and its readers that you have a comprehensive understanding of the course materials.