Course Description
A research course required for students in the U.S. National Parks study away program. Each student will conduct individualized, independent research on the law and politics of U.S. public lands policy, under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students will produce a significant written assignment as their final product of the course.
Athena Title
Public Lands Research
Non-Traditional Format
The course will include extended field experience (a study away program) combined with seminars, presentations, and/or student projects.
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Corequisite
POLS 4705
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year. Offered every even-numbered year. Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The expected learning outcomes for a student in a directed research course are: 1. The student will pose and test questions, hypotheses, or problems drawn from concepts in their chosen research area. 2. The student will utilize foundational principles in planning and executing a research project. 3. The student will carry out basic research techniques and methods. 4. The student will conduct research according to the highest ethical standards. 5. The student will demonstrate how a research program is organized and carried out. 6. The student will engage in professional communication through written and verbal participation in laboratory, academic, or professional meetings or conferences.
Topical Outline
This is a directed study course that builds on student’s previous coursework to enable them to acquire experience with conducting research, working with policy specialists or political stakeholders, collecting data, and presenting research findings. As such, the topics explored are expected to change according to the projects that students are working on or producing in any given semester. Students will learn: 1. Research Design: How to develop a research question 2. Research Design: The data collection process 3. Independent Research a. Proposal and Annotated Bibliography b. Updated Proposal and Detailed Outline c. Draft of Research Paper and Peer Feedback d. Presentation of Research Project e. Final Product