ASSESSMENT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

ASSESSMENT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

Prefered Language style               English (U.S.)

Essay     4 Pages Subject area        Environmental Issues   Academic Level Undergraduate

Style      APA       references          2

Order description:

ASSESSMENT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

This assignment is a research paper on an issue related to the human impact on the living environment, habitats, land use and natural resources. You must bring to the analysis of the selected topic (you have to choose a topic from the list below) a thorough feminist critique that elaborates on the chosen subject and integrates concepts of gender, race, class, and social justice. Be aware that a critical analysis is essential for this assignment and that critical thinking does not imply negativity but shows that you evaluate the texts you read academically. The research paper should be in essay format but answer all six questions (see A-F below) by integrating the answers rather than answering them one-by-one to enhance the flow of the text. The paper topics* are:

  1. Biodiversity (loss & conservation of biological diversity);
  2. Climate change (global warming, greenhouse effect, climate justice, etc.);
  3. Deforestation (illegal logging, rapid pace of destruction, etc.);
  4. Extraction of natural energy sources (either A: Tar sands mining; or B: Fracking);
  5. Waste (landfills, incineration, various types of waste produced from human endeavors, etc.)

*Be aware that only papers on one of the topics from above are accepted; if in doubt about your topic, contact me. Use the following questions as guideline and try to answer them as appropriate:

  1. What are the physical/natural elements of this environmental issue?
  2. What are the human elements of this environmental issue?
  3. How does this environmental issue affect women in particular?
  4. How might actions taken to lessen the impact of this environmental issue effect other environmental issues?
  5. In your opinion, what can be done to improve the situation for humans in general and women in particular?
  6. Would you agree with the premise that all environmental issues are political issues?

Think globally! Explain in your paper where the environmental issue you have chosen is most prominent – outline the importance of tackling the chosen issue at global, national, and local scales if possible.

Your work is required to have a length between 1400 and 2000 words and include a title page and reference list (title page, reference list or possible appendices are not included in word count).

At least two suitable articles from peerreviewed/scholarly journals and/or non-fiction books should be incorporated (use APA format for in-text citations and for the reference list).

Non-scholarly material from the courseware package and the internet can be used in addition to the two peerreviewed/scholarly references (provide the page reference to the original document for direct quotes if possible, not the page number of the courseware pack).

All pages (and figures and tables, if incorporated) must be numbered; all citations (and figures if included) must reference its original source (use APA!).

This assignment (WORD document) has to be submitted electronically only via Blackboard before 3:30 p.m. on March 13, 2018. The marks for the paper will contribute 35% to the total course grade (see attached assessment rubric for details). For guidelines regarding make-ups and late submissions refer to the syllabus. At my discretion, the assignment might be checked for plagiarism. This service may be used for some or all student research papers, as the case may be.

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC – PAPER

The assessment of the research paper is based on the following criteria: (A) Format Total 30 points (30%) Length 1400-2000 words (excluded: title page, reference list, tables, figures) 5 pts. (if up to 49 words shorter/longer: 5 p.; 50-99 words shorter/longer: 3 p.; 100-149 words shorter/longer: 2 p.; over 150 words shorter/longer: 0 p.)

References at least 2 scholarly texts incorporated; both sufficiently & appropriately integrated in the text, and properly listed & cited (APA format); 16 pts.

other references are sufficiently & appropriately integrated & referenced 8 pts. Title page included (any format) 1 pt. (B) Written work Total 70 points (70%) Scope 14 p.

Does the paper cover all the important and relevant aspects of the presented issue and answers all questions using references?

Focus on the issue 14 p. Does the paper deal effectively with the questions/thesis presented?

Is the analysis thorough and complete?

Are all references sufficiently incorporated in the discussion and analysis?

Coherence 14 p. Do the presented arguments hold together well and progress logically throughout the paper? Are the paragraphs and sentences coherent, comprehensible and logical without major flaws? Composition 14 p. Is the paper overall well-structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion? Does the introduction announce and clarify the topic and draw the interest of the reader into the world of the paper? Does the conclusion summarizes the ideas presented in the paper and suggest a course of action? Are the paragraphs concise, coherent and is the focus laid on the main subject introduced in the first sentence of each paragraph or on the subject of the heading or sub-heading (if used)? Critique 14 p. Are concepts of gender, race, class, and social justice integrated in your critique? What is your feminist critique on the presented environmental issue? What do you think about the issue after your analysis of the gathered information? (A + B) Overall Total 100 p. = 100% (35% of course grade)