The purpose of this paper is to allow you to learn much more about an environmental issue than is covered in the course readings. Your paper should discuss the scientific, political, and ethical implications of the issue that you are exploring. On population, for example, you might analyze why, or if, population growth is a scientific problem, how political actors and institutions have tried to resolve this dilemma, and what are the ethical implications of those policies. The papers should be typed, double spaced, and between eight and ten pages in length. The papers should conform to standard academic conventions and be fully documented.
Papers are due at the start of the class that they are due.
Anything turned in after the beginning of class will be graded down one-half a grade for each day that they are late. Finally, you are required to participate in a class debate on your topic. After you have signed up for a paper topic, we will assign which side of the question from the Goldfarb book that you will need to defend. Each student debater will have five minutes to present an argument about the issue. Everyone in the class is required to have read the material and will help to evaluate your presentation using a written, confidential form.