The first three papers will be essays that follow from readings and discussions in the class without further work. The fourth paper, in addition, must involve some library research. The intention the writing assignments is to develop argumentative expository writing. Your writing should aim to identify, articulate clearly, and support a strong thesis. Papers should be 5 - 7 pages and should be typed or printed.
Paper topics should include the following. If you wish to pursue a special topic, please check with me first.
Paper#1 -- discussion of Neil Postman's Technopoly.
Paper#2 -- discussion of Thoreau's Walden or Walking.
Paper#3 -- discussion of writings by Leopold, Stegner, and Snyder.
Paper#4 -- research on a topic of your choice, related to some of our readings (using at least 3 independent & external resources --- one of them a journal article). Some examples are:
The Western US as a place of human habitation --- other books or articles by/about Stegner, Edward Abbey, N. Scott
Momaday, and others.
Agriculture and Rural Living -- other books or articles by/about Wes Jackson, Wendell Berry, etc.
Human-Built Environments -- other works on architecture, landscape, or the psychology of human-built environments.
See "Standards for Research Papers."
Revisions -- Three revisions are required. Two of these are revisions of your choice from the first three papers. The fourth paper must be revised.
Portfolio -- At the end of the semester, the three papers chosen for revision are put together in a portfolio. This portfolio includes final (additional) revision of all three papers as well as a 1-2 page summary statement of your own, describing why/how you selected these papers and how you dealt with the revision process. Portfolios are read and graded by outside instructors as well as by the instructors in your section. The portfolio is an important part of your semester grade!