Instructor Reference for the Word Processing Project:
Sustainability Paper and Presentation
Background:
Every General Education course must address BSU’s “Emerging Issue” of Sustainability. The
Word Processing Project is the assignment that does this for COSC 110. Each student writes an
original formal paper on a sustainability topic using MLA Style, at least 3 pages with 3
authoritative references cited. The “Sustainability and Green Computing” LibGuide provides
resources for this project.
The assignment on Evaluating Websites introduced the sustainability topic earlier, so students
should be familiar with the definition of sustainability. (The United Nations Commission on
Environment and Development 1987 Report “Our Common Future” has a definition: “Sustainable
development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs”.)
Sample Assignments:
Below are two sample assignments I have used for this project. Use these as templates for your
Project assignment. They specify the paper audience, MLA Style, 3 cited references, and the
related Presentation part of the assignment.
You may use one of these if you wish; I suggest that you have students sign up in advance for the
particular local government or green school, and insist that each person do a different one, so
presentations will show a variety of approaches.
Option 1:
Sustainability Research Paper/Presentation
Word Processing Project – Local Government Efforts
Due ___________________; Presentations will be on _________
Choose a county in Maryland or the equivalent of a county in a neighboring state. (If you are
from out-of-state, you may choose the equivalent of a county in your home state.) Research what
these state and local governments are doing to promote environmental sustainability.
Questions to consider include:
Focus: What resources is the area particularly focused on, and why are those so important
to the region?
Organization: What are the agencies that carry out the efforts?
Who is in charge of sustainability efforts? How are leaders selected?
How do the governments publicize their efforts? How do they involve local citizens?
How is technology, especially computing technology, involved?
Research the topic, using at least three authoritative, reputable sources, which are to be
properly cited in the paper. Write a paper (at least 3 pages), using Word, to explain the
issue to other University students.
This is a formal paper; use correct grammar and formal language. Use MLA Style, as presented
in your textbook. The LibGuide “Sustainability and Green Computing” has information to assist
you with your research.
Presentation: Also prepare a 5 minute presentation on your topic, to be presented in class.
Include a visual display (illustrated slides, or perhaps a chart showing progress or trends), to be
shown on the overhead projector.
Option 2:
Sustainability Research Paper/Presentation
Word Processing Project – Green Schools
Due ___________________; Presentations will be on _________
Choose a university or college on the list in the Princeton Review’s 2019 Guide to Green
Colleges https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/green-guide, and conduct research to
determine details regarding sustainability efforts at that school.
Questions to consider can include:
Is there a relation between the geographic location of the school and the sustainability
efforts being made?
What resources are the sustainability efforts focused on?
Who is in charge of sustainability efforts? What segments of the campus community are
involved?
Specifically, how are students involved in sustainability? How are they organized, and
what do they do?
How is technology, especially computing technology, involved? (Does it pose a problem
to overcome, or is it used to solve problems?)
Analyze the school’s sustainability efforts, with particular attention to student efforts, to
determine what might be done at BSU to make our campus more sustainable.
Research the topic, using at least three authoritative, reputable sources, which are to be properly
cited in the paper. Write a paper (at least 3 pages), using Word, to explain the issue to other
University students. Describe what you learned about the school you researched, relate the
information to BSU, and propose a project in support of sustainability at BSU.
This is a formal paper; use correct grammar and formal language. Use MLA Style, as presented
in your textbook. The LibGuide “Sustainability and Green Computing” has information to assist
you with your research.
Presentation: Also prepare a 5 minute presentation on your topic, to be presented in class.
Include a visual display (illustrated slides, or perhaps a chart showing progress or trends), to be
shown on the overhead projector.
Option 3: The United Nations has identified 17 goals for a sustainable world. Choose one of these
and research
What the UN is doing to support the goal
What the UN expects member countries to do
What the UN suggests that individuals do
What the student’s local government or other organization is doing
Research the topic, using at least three authoritative, reputable sources, which are to be properly
cited in the paper. Write a paper (at least 3 pages), using Word, to explain the issue to other
University students. Describe what you learned about the school you researched, relate the
information to BSU, and propose a project in support of sustainability at BSU.
This is a formal paper; use correct grammar and formal language. Use MLA Style, as presented
in your textbook. The LibGuide “Sustainability and Green Computing” has information to assist
you with your research.
Presentation: Also prepare a 5 minute presentation on your topic, to be presented in class.
Include a visual display (illustrated slides, or perhaps a chart showing progress or trends), to
be shown on the overhead projector.
Option 4:
Since sustainability applies to many resources, and there are many efforts by various organizations
that focus on different resources, conduct research on one of these topics
Renewable Energy
Greenhouse Gases
LEED Building Standards
Air Quality
Carbon Neutrality
Resilience (new part of BSU’s Climate Commitment)
Sustainability in Agriculture
Reducing Energy Use
Clean Water
Reforestation
Recycling
Research the topic, using at least three authoritative, reputable sources, which are to be properly
cited in the paper. Write a paper (at least 3 pages), using Word, to explain the issue to other
University students. Describe what you learned about the school you researched, relate the
information to BSU, and propose a project in support of sustainability at BSU.
This is a formal paper; use correct grammar and formal language. Use MLA Style, as presented
in your textbook. The LibGuide “Sustainability and Green Computing” has information to assist
you with your research.
Presentation: Also prepare a 5 minute presentation on your topic, to be presented in class.
Include a visual display (illustrated slides, or perhaps a chart showing progress or trends), to be
shown on the overhead projector.
Option 5:
BSU’s Emerging Issue: As a General Education course, COSC 110 will address aspects of
sustainability, in support of the University’s Climate Commitment. Your word project requires
that you write a paper and do a presentation on this topic.
Your research project topic for the Word Processing Project will be a topic on some aspects of
sustainability in real-world. This require you to find sustainale practices in a real world practice
or environment of your choice. You can also relate sustainability to your major, or an activity
that interest you. A LibGuide (library guide) named “Sustainability and Green Computing” is
available on the Library website, to assist students in researching this topic. The direct link to it
is http://bowiestate.libguides.com/sustainability
You will use MLA style for the Project. Your paper should contain a minimum of three pages,
excluding references and citation. Attached is the grading rubric.
LibGuide Features
Relevant Online Resources, Articles, and Bowie Library books/resources. In addition, boxes
contain.
1. Format Styles – specifications for MLA and APA paper-writing styles. COSC 110 students will
use MLA style for the Project.
2. Evaluating Websites – a video and checklist for determining whether a website has information
suitable to use for a research paper.
3. How to Find Library Resources – links to other LibGuides on finding information for research
papers.
These are some Examples to consider:
Sustainability and fashion
Sustainability and Covid 19
Green Computing and It sustainability in the Theatre Industry
Sustainability in crime
Economic and environmental advantages of practicing green computing
Green Business
IT sustainability and Pediatrics
Sustainability in clothes
Sustainability and sports
Sustainability and money
Presentation: Also prepare a 5 minute presentation on your topic, to be presented in class.
Include a visual display (illustrated slides, or perhaps a chart showing progress or trends), to be
shown on the overhead projector.
