Humans, Science and the Chesapeake Bay

Controversy Paper Assignment: Due week 14.

You will be given the opportunity to debate the pros and cons of one of the controversial topics we debated in class on paper. Papers should be typed, double spaced with a font size of 12 and be between 5 and 10 pages.  The following format is a suggestion only; one of the purposes of a college education is to get you to think INDEPENDENTLY, so I will not be grading you on adherence to format. If you can think of a more effective way to discuss the controversy that you have chosen GO FOR IT! The following are my suggestions for a format that I think might work well.

Suggested paper format:

Introduction:  About 1-2 pages. Clearly state the problem and the motivations/goals of the opposite sides of the arguments concerning the problem. Feel free to express your opinion on the matter before going into your research or listening to the debate we had on the topic.  Try to finish with a statement that tells us how resolution of the debate will either benefit the Bay or humankind. 

Body: About 3-6 pages. In this part of the paper, you will present the main pro and con arguments associated with your chosen issue, including referenced scientific evidence to support each fact.  A reference list containing a minimum of 7 scientific sources must be included, and sources must be cited within the text as information from them is presented.  The textbook for this course may be included as one of these references.  At least three of the references need to come from actual scientific journals (what we call the “primary literature” as opposed to the internet or newspapers (note: the Bay Journal is a newspaper, NOT a scientific journal)). References should follow prescribed formats (see examples listed below).

Conclusion/summary About 1-2 pages:  This final section will merge the opinions and facts that you developed in the introduction and the body and end with a discussion of how your opinion on the issue was influenced by the facts that you gathered on the subject.  Draw conclusions, which may or may not align with your original opinion on the subject, based on the facts presented in the paper. I absolutely expect you to express your own opinions either way in this section, drawing, of course, on the evidence you have garnered. You will NOT be penalized for taking a pro-business stance if you adequately justify it!

Examples of acceptable reference formats:

 1. Book chapter: Kidwell, K.K. and T.C. Osborn. 1992. Simple plant DNA isolation procedures.  p. 1-13.  In J. Beckman and T.C. Osborn (eds). Plant Genomes: Methods for Genetic and Physical Mapping.  Kluwer Academic Publishers Group. AH Dordrecht , The Netherlands .

 2. Scientific journal: Nelson, J. A., Y. Tang and R. G. Boutilier. 1996. The effects of salinity change on the exercise performance of two Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) populations inhabiting different environments. Journal of Experimental Biology; 199:1295-1309.

3. Monthly magazine: Smith, J.D. “Burning Issues in Agriculture.”  Farm Journal, August 1997: 2-22.

 4. Newspaper article: Yates, S.  “Wheat Breeding in the PNW.”  Capital Press, 12 July 1999 .

5. Internet: Author's name (last name first). Document title. Date of Internet publication. Date of access <URL>.

*         Landsburg, Steven E. "Who Shall Inherit the Earth?" Slate 1 May 1997. 1 Oct. 1999 <http://www.slate.com/Economics/97-05-01/ Economics.asp>.

see: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite5.html#1 for more suggestions