This project is your opportunity to investigate a sustainability topic of your choosing in depth. why it’s important to sustainability. Prepare a 10-page paper (typed, double-spaced, 12-point type, 1-inch margins) summarizing your research, analysis, and recommendations.
Include the following sections in your paper:
Introduction — In a page or two this frames the topic, introducing your research question, explaining why its important, and setting out some initial hypotheses on ways to address it.
Background — Several pages look at the literature on the topic (articles, books, videos, etc.) and identify main perspectives on the topic, including values, assumptions, and worldviews connected with those points of view.
Stakeholders — A page or two to discuss different types of stakeholders (those affected in one way or another; this can include other species, future generations, etc.) and the types of power they have or don’t have over the subject.
Potential Solutions — A page or two outlining the pros and cons of different approaches towards improving the situation. Mention examples or existing best practices if possible.
Conclusion — A couple of paragraphs summarizing your analysis of the topic and making a recommendation.
A few photos or graphics are a good addition to any paper (in addition to the 10 pages of text). You can either integrate graphics into the text or can include them at the end. Include captions explaining what the graphic shows (even if it seems obvious to you), and include sources for any graphics not your own.
Research strategy
Start by identifying a few key sources of information, preferably those that give an overview of the topic. Obtain material from the library, from the web, by talking to relevant experts, and/or by contacting organizations working on this subject. If your topic involves a particular place, visit that place if possible, observe problems first-hand, review documents and other materials, and perhaps talk to residents or city staff. After you’ve gained a general understanding of the topic, look for additional materials that present particular viewpoints on it, including contrary viewpoints to mainstream perspectives. Your aim should be to triangulate the topic—understanding how a range of different experts or stakeholders see it.
Use APA style for citations (author, date).
