The following websites can be useful in selecting a topic and providing general information for the term paper required for this class (not limited to the following).
1. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural resource Conservation Service (hover over the word “Topics” in the menu at the top and a drop-down menu will appear with information on various topics (air, water, soils…):
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/#
2. National Center for Environmental Economics (EPA) Site: http://www.epa.gov/economics/
3. Free U. of Brussels Sustainable Development Site: http://www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.html
4. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): http://www.oecd.org/
5. United Nations Development Program:
http://www.undp.org/
Your term paper must contain the following sections:
Title Page (1 page in length)
Include the following information on the title page: a title for your term paper; your name; the code and the name of this course; and the date.
Introduction (at least 1 page in length)
In this section, a brief introduction including the description of the environmental or natural resource topic and its development must be presented. Also, this section has to include a clearly worded research objective (what is it that you are going to analyze).
Analysis (at least 2 pages in length)
In this section, describe the political and economic aspects of the situation. In particular describe what/who the interests/players (industries, vulnerable populations, developers, residents, etc.) are, and how does the issue affect their interests?
Also, discuss whether, how, and to what extent the situation is “bad” from an economic perspective. Is it inefficient, unsustainable, or inequitable? Why or why not? (Be clear as far as from what stakeholder’s perspective you are making these judgements).
Recommendations (at least 1 page in length)
In this section, propose/discuss a policy and/or market solution that uses or leverages economic relationships and behavior to, potentially, solve or at least mitigate “bad” outcomes.
References
References may include a mix of academic and non-academic sources, but you should not rely exclusively on material from the popular press. Include a listing of references that were used in the paper in an alphabetical order. Use the following format for citing the source in a bibliographical listing:
For a book: Kennedy, P. A Guide to Econometrics. 4th ed., Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1998.
For a journal article: Godfrey, L.G. “Instrument Relevance in Multivariate Linear Models.” Review of Economics and Statistics 81(1999):550-52.
For Internet source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. ERS Information. June 2002. Available online at http://www.ers.usda.gov/News/June2002Media.pdf.
Include your references in the text as “(Smith, 2015)” when citing at the end of a sentence, or “According to Smith (2015)” when citing at the beginning of a sentence. For example,
Negative publicity is a key determinant affecting consumers’ buying decisions (Ahluwalia, Burnkrant, and Unnava, 2000).
According to Cawley and Rizzo (2005), pharmaceutical products in the same therapeutic class experienced negative spillover in terms of lost sales.
Additional help with your paper is available from the Writing Center at TAMU-Commerce
http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/colleges/humanitiesSocialSciencesArts/departments/literatureLanguages/writingCenter/onlineWritingLab.aspx
Writing and Formatting Style
The term paper should be at least 5 pages in length. Term papers must be typed using Times New Roman, 12 point, double-spaced and have 1-inch margins all around. Before submitting the final paper, use the “Spelling & Grammar” function of the MS Word to correct grammar. Number pages consecutively beginning with the “Introduction” as page 1.
Grading Rubric
Your term paper will be graded using the following rubric:
1. Writing and Formatting Style within the Discipline
Evaluates grammar, sentence structure, spelling, flow of information/ideas, language, and reference and formatting style (Points: 20).
2. Consistency of the Subject Material
The extent to which ideas are presented coherently and with clear progression from introduction through conclusion (Points: 20).
3. Use of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Information to Sustain Argument
The extent to which information (economic concepts, principles, and fundamentals) and/or data collected are integrated and used/analyzed to sustain the argument (Points: 20).
4. Importance and/or Relevance and/or Contribution
The extent to which the paper highlights its importance/contribution (Points: 20).
5. Originality and/or Creativity
The extent to which the paper shows originality and/or creativity (Points: 20).
