Assignments across the Curriculum: A National Study of College Writing

Appendix B: Sample Coded Assignments

DOI: 10.7330/9780874219401.c008 AP P enDix B sAm Ple coDeD Assignments Assignment # 1 ( eco n 101: th e eco n o mics of climAte chAn g e) Purpose: Inform Audience: Student to Examiner Study Guide for Test 2 Chapter 4 Know how aerosols may provide a negative global­warming feed­ back mechanism. Know how cloud formation may provide either a negative or a positive global­warming feedback mechanism. How and why do the surface temperatures differ from tempera­ tures measured by weather balloon and satellite? How do current and recent temperatures compare to ancient temperatures? Explain in about three sentences how mathematical models of earth’s atmosphere work. What predictions are made by mathematical models about earth’s future temperature? Chapter 5 What fuel(s) have the greatest proven and estimated reserves? Under the Kyoto Protocol, how can parties reduce emissions of greenhouse gases? 138 DAN mELzER Define the terms nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. For what are each of these types of reaction used? Assignment # 2 ( en st495: sen i o r sem i nAr in enVironmentAl stu D i es) Purpose: Explore Audience: Self Learning Log A Learning Log is more than a personal journal or documen­ tation of work done, it is a tool to help you integrate your thoughts on your course work, readings, research efforts and personal experiences. This will hopefully help you clarify your ideas and future goals through synthesizing your background. Use your log to note progress on class assignments and your project. Be sure to record your frustrations and failures, as well as you successes. However, your Log should be more than just a listing of the activities attempted or accomplished, it should also document your ideas, thoughts, frustrations, reactions to events. Furthermore, it should cover much more than just your project. Comment in your log on class discussions, readings and other assignments. Write about your views on environmental issues. Jot down notes about future career and personal objectives in the environmental field. Assignment # 3 ( m g m t201: Pri n ci Ples of mAnAgement) Purpose: Persuade Audience: Wider Audience, Informed Voluntary Affirmative Action You are the human resource manager at Thompson Electron­ ics, a leading Silicon Valley technology software manufacturer. Appendix B 139 In proper memo format, write a memorandum to Lauren Thompson, the CEO of Thompson, in support of a voluntary affirmative action plan. In your memorandum, clearly discuss what affirmative action is, how it might be implemented, and the benefits that Thompson Electronics could expect from such a plan. Spelling, grammar, and clarity will contribute to your grade on this assignment. Assignment #4 ( An th ro Po lo g Y 8: An thr oP ologY of religion) Purpose: Inform Audience: Student to Instructor (General) Ethnography Ethnography is the work of describing a culture. The essential core of this activity aims to understand another way of life from the “native” point of view. The first step of an ethnography is deciding what to study. Choose a social event or a situation that you would like to know more about and can observe in a rea­ sonable amount of time. It is easier for anthropologists to study cultures other than their own, so try to find something relatively foreign to your own lifestyle and experience. The second step of an ethnography involves thinking about the kinds of questions you would like to answer. Questions may be broad (Why do you do this? How do you do this?) or they may be focused (Why do people dress this way?). Research ques­ tions may change while you are doing fieldwork and you may not even know what they are until you are well into the process of collecting data, but it is important to remember that ethnog­ raphies tell the reader something about cultural values. The third step involves choosing your research methods. For this course, all ethnographies must be based upon participant­ observation and interview; other methods may only be used as a supplement to data collected by participant­observation. Like 140 DAN mELzER other anthropologists, you will learn about culture by doing what the “natives” do. The final paper should include an introduction, a discussion of your research methods, a detailed written description of the “culture,” and a conclusion that tells the reader what you have learned about “native” beliefs, values or behaviors. The major portion of your paper (6–8 pages) will be descriptive but your...