This spring semester Humanities 161 will count for CPLE credit under the Science and Society requirement.  Below are descriptions of writing assignments followed by the grading scheme.  See Reading for a list of required and recommended reading materials.  Note that due dates for assignments, including reading, are contained in the course Syllabus.  Also, certain items on this webpage will be updated during the semester, and we therefore urge you to revisit it weekly.

PARAGRAPHS

We will periodically ask students to prepare and submit brief (one-or-two paragraph) statements regarding discussion topics, material presented in the lectures, etc.  These Paragraphs will be reviewed for content and clarity in reasoning and, if thoughfully crafted, receive partial to full credit.  (Do not assume that this credit is automatic.)  Due dates will be stated in class and later posted in the course Syllabus.  Paragraphs will not be accepted after their due dates.

Here is an example.  Early in the course we will ask each student to identify and bring to class (if feasible) an item that is a petrochemical product, and compose a Paragraph describing how the item derives from petroleum together with a brief assessment of the impact of not having the item available.  We will then consider these items in our Discussion Sessions.

RESEARCH PAPERS

Students are expected to write and submit two Research Papers during the semester.  The first Research Paper is to cover a topic related to energy resources; the second Research Paper is to cover a topic related to water resources.  We expect these Research Papers to provide critical assessments of topics selected from the lists below.  The choice of topics (from the lists) is yours; nonetheless we encourage you to make your choice, and design your Research Papers, based on feedback solicited from course instructors.

These Research Papers should be carefully crafted and edited.  Each should be at least six pages in length, but no more than seven pages in length, double spaced, not including figures, tables and references.  Only paper copy will be accepted.  Do not submit electronic versions of your Research Papers.  These Research Papers must adhere to the style and formatting described in the link here: Style and Formatting.  Due dates are indicated in the course Syllabus.  Research Papers that are turned in late will automatically lose 10 points (out of 100) for each day they are late, including weekend days.

A required Prospectus of the first Research Paper is due Friday, February 18, as indicated in the Syllabus.  This Prospectus, if thoughtfully crafted, will receive credit, although its primary purpose will be for us to provide feedback (see Grading below) to be considered in preparing the final draft of the first Research Paper, due Friday, March 18.  A prospectus is not required as part of the process of preparing the second Research Paper, due Monday, April 25.

    Energy Resources

• the principles, challenges and uncertainty in predicting the timing of Peak Oil
• the connections between petroleum and agriculture, and implications for agricultural practices after Peak Oil
• the concept of "Energy Return on Energy Invested" and how this features in different sectors of energy use (e.g. transportation) or in developing alternative energy sources (e.g. solar, wind)
• the connections between the burning of fossil fuels and global climate change, and the uncertainty in demonstrating and predicting human-induced climate change
• the outlook for a selected alternative energy source, including its current state of development and its likely future applications
• socio-economic or political changes, either at local or global scales, that are likely to occur after Peak Oil, including the reasons for these changes and their timing

    Water Resources

• the socio-economic impact of major water-supply projects, with attention to a case study
• the impact of dams on aquatic/riparian habitats, with attention to a case study
• the occurrence and impacts of a selected, elevated nutrient (e.g. nitrogen, nitrate, phosphorus) in surface or ground water, from sources such as fertilizer, human and animal waste
• socio-economic, political or ecological changes, either at local or global scales, that are likely to occur with increasing demands for fresh water during this century, including the reasons for these changes and their timing
• strategies for ensuring future, sustainable water supplies in areas with limited renewal rates
• current and (likely) future issues surrounding across-political-boundary (states/provinces or countries) water disputes, with attention to a case study

GRADING

Grading for the course will be based on credit earned for the following items.

Class Participation (10%):  This item consists principally of your participation in Discussion Sections, although we hope that you will engage speakers during question-and-answer periods in Monday lectures.  Contributing frequently to the discussions is, in itself, not so important.  Contributing thoughtfully and respectfully is important.  (See Rules of Engagement.)  We expect all to participate; we will call on each of you.  (We are aware that each of you has a different comfort level with speaking up in class.  Don't feel like your contributions need to be "prepared speeches."  Sponteneity is OK... welcomed, even.)

Paragraphs (15%):  Paragraphs are described above.  These will be reviewed for content and clarity in reasoning.   Paragraphs will not be accepted after their due dates.

Prospectus of 1st Research Paper (5%):  This item is aimed at helping you improve the quality of your 1st Research Paper and, indirectly, your 2nd Research Paper.  This Prospecus should be, in effect, an extended outline, if not a rough draft, of your 1st Research Paper.  We will look for organization and style, clarity of theme, and inclusion of reasonable and key references.  Only paper copy will be accepted.  Do not submit electronic versions.  Prospectuses will not be accepted after their due date.

Research Papers (20% each, 40% total):  Research Papers are described above and in the associated links.  Only paper copy will be accepted.  Do not submit electronic versions.  Research Papers that are turned in late will automatically lose 10 points (out of 100) for each day they are late, including weekend days.

Examinations (15% each, 30% total):  The mid-term and final exams are aimed at gauging the extent to which you are absorbing, pondering and synthesizing material from the reading and lectures, and from common material covered in all Discussion Sections.  Assume that the material covered on these exams will come equally from the reading, lectures and discussions.  The final exam will not be cumulative, per se, but it will likely draw on key material from the first half of the semester inasmuch as the topics of energy and water cannot be disentangled.

NOTE:  STUDENTS MAY BE EXCUSED FROM SCHEDULED EXAM TIMES OR ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES ONLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, OR BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS.