Software: Microsoft Office                              Cal Poly Sustainability

Paper 5, 6, 7

This prompt applies to three assignments, a large chunk of the quarterÕs work.  In three stages, youÕll be composing an essay of about 1250 words that combines research and argument about a topic close to home.

The first stage is developing a research proposal.  ItÕs due Wednesday, February 27.  To prepare this youÕll  explore Resources on Sustainability at Cal Poly looking for a topic and a thesis.  The proposal will include a bibliography of sources of information, including

  1. websites
  2. printed material
  3. personal observation
  4. interviews 

Your proposal should map out a tentative plan for the structure of your essay. 

Possible general approaches:

  1. Study and career options relating to sustainability in your major.
  2. Description and  history of a program at Cal Poly that deals with sustainability
  3. A person who has been instrumental in developing such a program
  4. A sustainability project or program that should be started or expanded
  5. A sustainability project that should be changed or abandoned

Possible specific topics:

  1. Sustainable Forestry vs. Sustained Yield Forestry at Swanton Ranch
  2. The Empower Poly Coalition
  3. Focus the Nation at Cal Poly: A report and Evaluation
  4. The Cal Poly Master plan past, present and future.
  5. How green are current building projects—e.g. Construction Management building, Poly canyon village.
  6. Water conservation and wastewater treatment
  7. The solar house; Cal PolyÕs support or lack of it
  8. University fund raising and investment in Green Building
  9. Comparison of Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly SLO sustainability programs
  10. Comparison of Cal Poly and Chico
  11. Discussion of the PresidentÕs Climate Agreement
  12. University investment and support of sustainable, local and organic agriculture
  13. In what ways are the Poultry and Dairy Units sustainable?
  14. Is the Organic Farm Economically viable?
  15. Forestry at Cal Poly—pros and cons of sustainable forestry and sustainable yield
  16. Solar Decathlon, support and lack of it
  17. Sustainability in the food service
  18. The Proposed Expansion of the Rec Center: Sustainable or not?
  19. ASI and sustainability, past, present and future
  20. Parking garages, how many with what consequence?
  21. Campus sustainable transportation and Mobility initiative
  22. Bikes on campus
  23. Paper vs. paperless communication
  24. Brizzolara Creek enhancement program
  25. Sustainability and the Business School: should there be more involvement, why or why not.
  26. The recycling program

The second stage of this project is producing a first draft by Wednesday March 5.  Include:

  1. A definition of sustainability in relation to your specific subject with positive and negative examples.
  2. Descriptive and/or narrative material to draw in the reader and convey your personal involvement with the subject
  3. Technical or scientific information that will broaden the readers understanding of your subject
  4. Discussion of an issue related to your topic including arguments and counterarguments
  5. A statement of your position on an issue employing logos, pathos and ethos.

The third stage, due on Monday March 17, the date of the Final Exam, is the final draft, incorporating instructorÕs feedback and that from fellow students.