EVR 3894 ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING:  A SYLLABUS

 

Summer 2007                                                                                                  Dr. Klaus J. Meyer-Arendt <kjma@uwf.edu>

8:30-11:55 MW, term B                                                                               office:  13/206  / off. hrs.: by appt. / ph.: 2792

 

This course is de­signed to expose students to the basic research methodologies used in the environmental sciences and familiarize them with various forms of environmental technical writing.  Meets Gordon Rule requirement.

 

      date                               subject                                                                assignments                                                             Gordon

May 14        Intro to Environmental Writing                    1. IC: biographical essay                                                                   300

                      + Diagnostic Writing Exam                             + title of potential research article

                                                                                                      2. TH: essay on environ. philosophy (due 5/16)                       500

May 16        The Scientific Method [Ch. 1]                        3. IC: trip to library (get 2 journal articles)                          

                      Library Resources [Ch. 2]                               4. TH: propose a research article topic, title,

                                                                                                       make DETAILED outline, list of journals, etc. (due 5/21)  

May 21        Writing a Research Paper                               5. IC: evaluate articles for scientific method                               

                      [Ch. 3, 4, and 5]                                                  6. TH: make annotated list of internet sources (due 5/23)  

May 23        Style & Organization [Ch. 6]                          7. IC: rewrite references, title, & 3-5 key words                  

                      References/Bibliographies                            8. TH: write references for paper (due 5/30)                              

May 28        MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY

May 30        The Abstract [Ch. 7]                                          9. IC: rewrite an abstract                                                                   150          

                                                                                                      10. TH: write abstract of paper (due 6/4)                                    200

June 4          The Review  [Ch. 8]                                           11. IC: Review (TBD)                                                                          300          

                                                                                                      12. TH: review a journal article (due 6/6)                                   300

June 6          Technical Reports, EAs, EISs                         13. IC: evaluate EISs & EAs                                                     

                      [Ch. 9]                                                                   14. TH: check internet for EA/EIS formats (due 6/11)   

June 11        Grant Pre-Proposals [Ch. 10]                         15. IC: outline a student proposal                                                  150          

                                                                                                      16. TH: student fund proposal (due 6/13)                                  600

June 13        Grant Proposals                                                17. IC: grant-writing team project                                          

                                                                                                      18. TH: prepare group grant proposal (due 6/25)                    300

June 18        Preparing a Résumé (c.v.) [Ch. 11]               19. IC: evaluate & outline a résumé                                      

                                                                                                      20. TH: prepare a résumé & cover letter (due 6/20)                  200

June 20        Press Releases [Ch. 12]                                    21. IC: evaluate NY Times articles                                        

                                                                                                      22. TH: write press release on your

                                                                                                                         research paper (due 6/25)                                             300

June 25        Student Presentations                                      presentations of group grant proposals

                      Evaluations

Text:            Intro to Environmental Writing (4th ed., 2005) by KJMA (on electronic reserve)--REQUIRED

Research Paper:          All students will write a 2000-word research paper (+ abstract) in this class.  Grading will be based upon format, writing, contents, and style.  The first COMPLETE draft is due by 6/4 (10 bonus points if turned in by 6/1).  The second draft is due no later than 6/20, AND the first draft—and scoring sheet--MUST be turned in along with it.  Grade (out of 100 pts.) is the average of the two drafts. (Late papers will receive a point penalty.)

Grading:  based upon 360 points (100 from research paper, 220 from IC and TH labs, and 40 from Writing Center labs)

Grading scale: A=93, A-=90, B+=87, B=83, B-=80, C+=77, C=73, C-=70, D+=67, D=60, F=<60  [UWF scale]

Notes:     IC = in class...IC assignments are due at end of class

                  TH = take home…. TH assignments are usually due at start of next class (points off if late)

Attendance is required.  Tardiness will result in points deducted from IC scores.                

                  If absence cannot be avoided, see Dr. KJMA ASAP to get IC and TH assignments!!!!

Special Technology Utilized by Students:  low-to-medium 

Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy will be followed as stated at these URL addresses:   http://uwf.edu/StudentAffairs/division/publications/ClassDisrup.pdf

http://uwf.edu/StudentAffairs/division/publications/PlagBroch.pdf

Assistance for Students with Special Needs policy is found at http://uwf.edu/DSS/dss_pub.pdf  on page 3.

No drinks, food, or tobacco products in class.