The writing assignments (WA) are due in the ERS60 ‘bin’ in 151 Hoagland Hall by 5:00 p.m. on the days indicated in the following schedule. These essays must be submitted as a double-spaced hard copy (not hand-written), maximum of 500 words (approx. 2 pages). The WA must include information from one of the assigned readings for discussion section, any discussion during lectures or discussion sections for the week, and at least two other references (i.e., a total of at least three references). Note: The course text and World Wide Web can be used in addition to, but not in lieu of, your two additional references. We also require a one-page outline of your paper, including your thesis statement and supporting references, DUE ONE WEEK BEFORE THE WA IS DUE in the ERS 60 bin in 151 Hoagland Hall. Although students are encouraged to discuss assigned readings, every student must submit an individual essay. The assignment must be written in your own words. Late writing assignments will NOT be accepted.

Your paper should be well-written (spell-checked, logically-structured, coherent, concise, and include proper citations), critical, and imaginative. The format should include an introduction to the topic, indicating a rationale for why you are writing about the chosen topic, and a thesis statement, wherein you state the point of view you will evaluate (either support or reject). The main body of the paper should contain facts (data) and some assessment of those data (e.g., not enough data, contradictory data, invalid assumptions) and how the problem you are discussing is related to the global environment. Finally, summarize with an evaluation of how the data you discussed lead you to support or reject your thesis.

Your essay should make some progress toward explaining questions such as, (i) "Why should anyone in the Central Valley care about X?", where X could be El Niño, desertification, or thermal erosion of permafrost, or (ii) "What assumptions were made in developing models of Y?", where Y is nitrogen cycling, eutrophication, or greenhouse gas influence on climate change, or (iii) "How good are the data used to test the hypothesis Z?" , where Z is that global warming is occurring, that animal habitat is lost with desertification, or that agricultural nitrogen fertilization leads to anoxia in marine systems.

Direct quotes must be enclosed in quotation marks and have an author-date citation.

References must be properly cited in your paper. For our purposes, in the text, the following style is required:

Backsoon and Seeyah (1998) showed that water flows uphill. More recent work has shown that you can lead a horse to water and you can make it drink (Backsoon 1999). Finally, it remains unclear if it is the heat or the humidity (Backsoon et al. 1999), but whatever the cause, the Aggie women hoopsters had some tough luck against Sonoma State (Davis Enterprise 2001).

Davis Enterprise. 2001. UCD women face tough road against Sonoma.