RLS 42 Current Topic Paper: Small Group Project

Project Description
Value: 100 points (22% of final grade)
Topics:  Assigned in class
	Evaluation:  70% by Dr. Rolloff, 30% by individual group members (average across the group)

Due Dates: 
•	Paper due April 24 in class (or by 5 p.m. April 25 uploaded to the course WebCT site)
•	In class presentations on May 1, 8, 13

Paper Description  (80 points)
Project Objectives:  
•	Students will research a current topic that relates to recreational use of natural resources, and to report their findings to their peers in an in-class presentation (see below). 
•	Students will become aware of multiple “sides” or approaches to their issue, and will describe these as part of their project.  Approaching any issue by understanding a variety of perspectives on that issue (social and political) is a hallmark of an educated person. 
•	The ultimate objective is to present a paper that shows a perspective that is developed from a critical thinking perspective. 
•	As part of your “Wilderness Groups” of 2 classmates, you will work as a team to research various sources (both internet and in-print).  

Information Sources:  At least 8 sources of information must be utilized and properly cited by students to make up the paper’s research (see Writing Handout for citation and plagiarism guidelines).  These sources should be as broad a representation of varying groups as possible, and this will be considered as part of the instructor evaluation.  

Presentation (20 points)
Your small group will work together to create a 15 minute panel presentation using electronic media (Powerpoint).  All group members must participate in presenting your topic.  This should include minimally 10-12 minutes of presentation with 3-5 minutes of questions and discussion.  There will be a penalty for any presentations less than 10 minutes. Your presentation should be a polished summary of your paper’s main points, using images and bulleted text (not reading your paper).  

RLS 42 Current Topic Project Evaluation

Projects will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Project Element	Possible Points
(also percentage)	Points Earned	
Current Topic Paper	
Summary of current issues on topic, presenting multiple perspectives on the issue, shows critical thinking approach
	20		
Student evaluation of individual group member contributions	30		
Research and source development (8 legit sources)
	10		
Paper mechanics, including: 
•	Composition
•	Format
•	Grammar
•	Spelling
•	Sentence Structure
•	Paper Organization
•	Writing Style	10		
Overall topic development	10		
Deductions for not meeting required length of paper (at least 5 pages of text with 1 page of references)			
Paper Total	80		
Current Topic Presentation	
Effective and Creative Use of Media	5		
Research well-communicated, easy to understand	10		
All group members participated in a professional presentation	5		
Presentation Total	20		
			
Project Total	100		

Individual Evaluation of Group Member Individual Contributions

Your Name:  __________________________________________

Group Member Name
(including yourself)	Evaluation of Member Contributions	

Points: ______/ 30	

Points: ______/ 30	

Points: ______/ 30	

Points: ______/ 30