Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:
Students will write a paper that analyzes a specific aspect of climate change and its impacts and effects on society
It will examine this as a social-ecological system with cross-scale interactions and incorporate the knowledge that we are acquiring in class in your analysis. The report may cover it from the perspective of specific groups of people, take a local/regional/national/international perspective, focus on specific effects, focus on adaptation efforts, whatever. There is a great deal of flexibility from this perspective. This is an analysis, so critical thought, cogent and coherent arguments, and personal insights only when building from evidence collected through research.
Draw on what we have learned and discussed in this class – feedback loops, emergent outcomes, aspects of resilience, etc. Your paper should have an introduction where you describe the specific system of interest, what the relevant issues/themes are, and who the key actors are. You will then discuss and analyze the system. You have a great deal of self-guided flexibility in this.
Your write-up should be evidence-based, not opinion. Present your analysis of what you find across a variety of sources. Where evidence is weak or non-existent, acknowledge that and fill in the gaps with logic and reasoned argumentation. Identify the holes in your argument and suggest what future information could help bolster your case. Acknowledge that the problem is complex and that there is room for multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. In short, use your critical thinking skills and clear written communication.
Students are expected to use at least 8 academic cites (Wikipedia can be used, but it doesn’t count for one of the citations). Should be double-spaced with 12 point Times New Roman font (excluding references). See the rubrics in the syllabus for guidance about grading criteria. This will help you to understand the points from which I will be assessing the papers.
