Monday, March 27, 2006
No Class, T 3/28
Sorry. No class on Tuesday, 3/28. We'll continue with presentations on your work in progress on Thursday.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Portfolios
Remember that if you are graduating this semester, you need to turn in your completed portfolio to your IDS advisor as soon as possible. If you can, you should pull it together over break and turn it in to your advisor the Monday after Spring Break. If you can't do that, you need to go talk to your advisor now and work out the details with him or her.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Portfolio questions
I'm still unclear about some of the requirements for our portfolio. What do we do for "Description of 5+ interdisciplinary methods, with explanation" and the "demonstration of 3+ methods?" Then what is "description of 5+ transdisciplinary methods" and "demonstrate 3+?" If anyone has any insight on this, it would be much appreciated and very helpful as I try to finish up my portfolio.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Final Project Details
Senior Project Check-Sheet
Your final project is due in my box by 5:00 p.m. on Th, 4/20. Late projects will have 1/3 of a letter grade deducted for every day late.
The project must be on an interdisciplinary topic emerging from your concentration, 25-50 pages in length (6250-12,500), establish a thesis or claim regarding an important aspect of your topic, support that claim with appropriate research, and document that research both in the text and in a bibliography. You will be graded on the degree to which you fulfill each of these requirements as well as on the quality of your writing and documentation. The bound copy you give me will stay in the department. A checklist below will assure your having met the requirements for the project.
Checklist
___ spiral binding
___ cover with title page
___ internal title page
___ 25-50 pages (6250-12,500 words) text, i.e. excluding bibliography
___ double-spaced
___ standard margins
___ serif font, e.g. Times
___ white paper, blank on back
___ pages numbered
___ well-written
___ well-organized
___ argues a strong thesis
___ emerges from your IDS concentration
___ uses all relevant quality reference material
___ proper citation of reference material
___ no plagiarism
___ adheres to ASU’s “Code of Academic Integrity”
___ MLA formatted bibliography, error-free
The final copy of your senior project will also be posted online to your blog or in some other way.
Printed:
“Black-comb” spiral binding.
Any color cover (printing on cover is not required).
Single-sided printing recommended for most projects (white paper please).
Print shops such as Precision or Minor’s can generally do this while you wait.
Use a serif font like Times.
Double-space everything (including quotes, endnotes, footnotes, title page, bibliography, etc.)
Left justify only (do not justify right hand margin).
Number pages in upper right hand corner.
Title page:
Title (not in quotes)
Your Name
Senior Seminar
Dr. Derek Stanovsky
Interdisciplinary Studies Department
Appalachian State University
May 2006
You must give me one bound copy, which will be kept by the department.
I recommend you print at least one more copy for yourself.
Electronic:
You must also post a copy online to your blog or in some other manner.
Your final project is due in my box by 5:00 p.m. on Th, 4/20. Late projects will have 1/3 of a letter grade deducted for every day late.
The project must be on an interdisciplinary topic emerging from your concentration, 25-50 pages in length (6250-12,500), establish a thesis or claim regarding an important aspect of your topic, support that claim with appropriate research, and document that research both in the text and in a bibliography. You will be graded on the degree to which you fulfill each of these requirements as well as on the quality of your writing and documentation. The bound copy you give me will stay in the department. A checklist below will assure your having met the requirements for the project.
Checklist
___ spiral binding
___ cover with title page
___ internal title page
___ 25-50 pages (6250-12,500 words) text, i.e. excluding bibliography
___ double-spaced
___ standard margins
___ serif font, e.g. Times
___ white paper, blank on back
___ pages numbered
___ well-written
___ well-organized
___ argues a strong thesis
___ emerges from your IDS concentration
___ uses all relevant quality reference material
___ proper citation of reference material
___ no plagiarism
___ adheres to ASU’s “Code of Academic Integrity”
___ MLA formatted bibliography, error-free
The final copy of your senior project will also be posted online to your blog or in some other way.
Printed:
“Black-comb” spiral binding.
Any color cover (printing on cover is not required).
Single-sided printing recommended for most projects (white paper please).
Print shops such as Precision or Minor’s can generally do this while you wait.
Use a serif font like Times.
Double-space everything (including quotes, endnotes, footnotes, title page, bibliography, etc.)
Left justify only (do not justify right hand margin).
Number pages in upper right hand corner.
Title page:
Title (not in quotes)
Your Name
Senior Seminar
Dr. Derek Stanovsky
Interdisciplinary Studies Department
Appalachian State University
May 2006
You must give me one bound copy, which will be kept by the department.
I recommend you print at least one more copy for yourself.
Electronic:
You must also post a copy online to your blog or in some other manner.
Partial Draft Due TH 3/19
On Th 3/19, you will be turning in a piece of writing from your project, an outline of what you plan to write for the final version, and a revised abstract.
You must turn in 8-12 typed/printed pages which will be part of your final paper. This does not have to be from the beginning or any other particular part of the paper, but should be a reasonably polished piece of writing. There should be a “works cited” page, properly formatted, and in-text citation should be used and formatted correctly as well.
I would also like a brief outline that predicts the final organization of the paper, and a revised version of your abstract.
This assignment should be printed out and handed in during class, and should also be posted to your blog.
You must turn in 8-12 typed/printed pages which will be part of your final paper. This does not have to be from the beginning or any other particular part of the paper, but should be a reasonably polished piece of writing. There should be a “works cited” page, properly formatted, and in-text citation should be used and formatted correctly as well.
I would also like a brief outline that predicts the final organization of the paper, and a revised version of your abstract.
This assignment should be printed out and handed in during class, and should also be posted to your blog.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Online Resources
Due by classtime Thursday, February 23.
Post to your blog a minimum of 20 links to sources relevant to your senior project, but more is better.
You want your collection of links to be as comprehensive and useful a guide to Web resources on your topic as possible.
Spend time searching and browsing online to make sure you have found all the best resources out there. Your links should be organized, and clearly and informatively marked.
You can find a guide to making links and other information about using html in your blog here: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=752&morepop=1
Post to your blog a minimum of 20 links to sources relevant to your senior project, but more is better.
You want your collection of links to be as comprehensive and useful a guide to Web resources on your topic as possible.
Spend time searching and browsing online to make sure you have found all the best resources out there. Your links should be organized, and clearly and informatively marked.
You can find a guide to making links and other information about using html in your blog here: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=752&morepop=1
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Research Ethics and Methods
Due Tuesday 2/14. 200-1000 words.
First, describe the methods you plan on using in your project: library research, interviews, surveys, field work, qualitative, quantitative, etc.
Then, consider and discuss all the relevant ethical issues related to the research and presentation of your project.
While not all of you will be using human subjects in your research, the readings we used can be broadly applied and therefore should be directly cited in your statement, e.g. respect for persons as autonomous agents and protection of persons with diminished autonomy might apply in terms of how your research might be used for or against a person or group of persons. I expect all issues raised in the Belmont Report and SFAA Guide to be considered in your statement. However, you should also go beyond these readings in analyzing the ethical implications of your project -– think carefully about all aspects of the project, who might be hurt or helped, environmental effects, etc.
Please remember that there are likely to be positive issues as well as negative –- your project might help a group of people or have some other beneficial effect, and you should address this possibility in your statement.
For those of you completing human subjects research as part of your senior project (surveys, interviews, etc.) you should also read the ASU Institutional Review Board policies for human subjects research and informed consent and submit the appropriate forms to your instructor.
http://www.graduate.appstate.edu/orsp/research/irb/index.php
First, describe the methods you plan on using in your project: library research, interviews, surveys, field work, qualitative, quantitative, etc.
Then, consider and discuss all the relevant ethical issues related to the research and presentation of your project.
While not all of you will be using human subjects in your research, the readings we used can be broadly applied and therefore should be directly cited in your statement, e.g. respect for persons as autonomous agents and protection of persons with diminished autonomy might apply in terms of how your research might be used for or against a person or group of persons. I expect all issues raised in the Belmont Report and SFAA Guide to be considered in your statement. However, you should also go beyond these readings in analyzing the ethical implications of your project -– think carefully about all aspects of the project, who might be hurt or helped, environmental effects, etc.
Please remember that there are likely to be positive issues as well as negative –- your project might help a group of people or have some other beneficial effect, and you should address this possibility in your statement.
For those of you completing human subjects research as part of your senior project (surveys, interviews, etc.) you should also read the ASU Institutional Review Board policies for human subjects research and informed consent and submit the appropriate forms to your instructor.
http://www.graduate.appstate.edu/orsp/research/irb/index.php
Abstract
Due Tuesday, 2/14. 200-500 words.
You will write and post to your blog a formal abstract describing your senior project. You will also give a formal presentation to the class based on that abstract.
This is your formal proposal for your senior project. It is on the basis of this document, along with your oral presentation to the class, that I will decide if your project is one that will satisfy the requirements for this course and for graduation. Please spend the time, effort, thought, and energy appropriate to such an assignment.
Your abstract:
Should be a brief formal statement articulating as clearly and specifically as possible both what your thesis is with regard to your chosen topic, and how you plan to demonstrate your thesis through the project you have planned.
Should be well written, clear, concise, specific, and to the point.
Should include an original and informative title for your project. (Titles can be hard, and the final title for you project may change, but I would like you to come up with at least a provisional working title.)
You will write and post to your blog a formal abstract describing your senior project. You will also give a formal presentation to the class based on that abstract.
This is your formal proposal for your senior project. It is on the basis of this document, along with your oral presentation to the class, that I will decide if your project is one that will satisfy the requirements for this course and for graduation. Please spend the time, effort, thought, and energy appropriate to such an assignment.
Your abstract:
Should be a brief formal statement articulating as clearly and specifically as possible both what your thesis is with regard to your chosen topic, and how you plan to demonstrate your thesis through the project you have planned.
Should be well written, clear, concise, specific, and to the point.
Should include an original and informative title for your project. (Titles can be hard, and the final title for you project may change, but I would like you to come up with at least a provisional working title.)
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Working Bibliography
By class time on Thursday, 2/9, you should have posted to your blog a working bibliography for your senior project. This bibliography must include no fewer than 50 appropriate references and be composed of at least 20 journal, Web, or other scholarly sources other than books.
This is a “working bibliography.” It will change and develop over time as you continue your research. Some sources may drop out as you realize they lack relevance, while other sources or even whole new categories of sources may be added. Your “working bibliography” should reflect a broad and deep search into reference materials relevant to your topic and to the context(s) within which your topic lies. The title of your bibliography should include the topic of your senior project (e.g. “Social Change Through Music: The Case of Appalachia,” or, “Postcolonial Interpretations of Medieval Women Mystics,” or Photojournalism in Practice: Trailer Communities in Transition in Boone”). Your bibliography should then list EVERY source relevant to your topic: theoretically, technically, historically, topically, thematically, and so forth.
This bibliography should show that you have conducted research into a variety of disciplines (and other reservoirs of knowledge) including sources of both data (information) and theory (ways of interpreting the data). It will include books and articles, and may also include videos, films, musical recordings, live events, workshops and seminars, interviews or other experiences with individuals and groups, and other sources. Make sure you include sources critical of and making critiques of different theses/positions, including your own. All sources will be listed alphabetically and in MLA format (so I can read and understand them). This rather large compendium of relevant sources will provide you the challenge and opportunity of defining and justifying the criteria by which you will select materials you will actually consult as you move forward and which will appear in the “Works Cited” section of your final project. NB: Literature research involves examination of published books, journal articles, government documents and reports, and web sites. Since web sites have information of variable quality, you need to do more work to insure the reliability of these sources.
To summarize, your bibliography:
Should be as complete and exhaustive as possible. It should contain ALL books, journals, articles, and other library resources that are relevant to your particular project, no fewer than 50, with at least 20 from non-book sources.
It should contain not only sources available at Belk Library, but elsewhere as well.
It should be in MLA format (Modern Language Association). There are copies of this guide available at the reserve desk in the library. A quick reference guide to MLA format can also be found at: http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/mlagd.html
This is a “working bibliography.” It will change and develop over time as you continue your research. Some sources may drop out as you realize they lack relevance, while other sources or even whole new categories of sources may be added. Your “working bibliography” should reflect a broad and deep search into reference materials relevant to your topic and to the context(s) within which your topic lies. The title of your bibliography should include the topic of your senior project (e.g. “Social Change Through Music: The Case of Appalachia,” or, “Postcolonial Interpretations of Medieval Women Mystics,” or Photojournalism in Practice: Trailer Communities in Transition in Boone”). Your bibliography should then list EVERY source relevant to your topic: theoretically, technically, historically, topically, thematically, and so forth.
This bibliography should show that you have conducted research into a variety of disciplines (and other reservoirs of knowledge) including sources of both data (information) and theory (ways of interpreting the data). It will include books and articles, and may also include videos, films, musical recordings, live events, workshops and seminars, interviews or other experiences with individuals and groups, and other sources. Make sure you include sources critical of and making critiques of different theses/positions, including your own. All sources will be listed alphabetically and in MLA format (so I can read and understand them). This rather large compendium of relevant sources will provide you the challenge and opportunity of defining and justifying the criteria by which you will select materials you will actually consult as you move forward and which will appear in the “Works Cited” section of your final project. NB: Literature research involves examination of published books, journal articles, government documents and reports, and web sites. Since web sites have information of variable quality, you need to do more work to insure the reliability of these sources.
To summarize, your bibliography:
Should be as complete and exhaustive as possible. It should contain ALL books, journals, articles, and other library resources that are relevant to your particular project, no fewer than 50, with at least 20 from non-book sources.
It should contain not only sources available at Belk Library, but elsewhere as well.
It should be in MLA format (Modern Language Association). There are copies of this guide available at the reserve desk in the library. A quick reference guide to MLA format can also be found at: http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/mlagd.html
Comment on the Project Proposals
Read your classmates blogs. You'll find links to them over on the right. Leave appropriate and specific comments, suggestions, questions, and references for at least 4 of your classmates, but you're welcome to comment on more.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Rough Project idea
This is still unrefined. Currently, I am thinking of researching and writing a proposal for a local Slow Food Convivium. David Huntley and his wife Edelma are in the process of establishing a local Slow Food chapter (called a convivium) for the Boone area, and they have already established several members that are willing to join. Most of the members are consumers and restaurant owners, rather than producers, but all are like minded and open to new things. I hope to contact several of the willing members and members from possibly the Asheville convivium to understand what exactly do permanent residents of the surrounding Boone area want to see Slow Food get involved with. What types of events would be welcomed in relation to food and culture? I will investigate various food-related events and educational activites to strengthen the Slow Food concern in and around Boone. One of the requirements for starting a convivium states that the convivium must have at least 20 members by the end of their first year. If I could write a reasonable proposal suggesting for the convivium what kind of events the community might enjoy, I may possibly ensure the strength of the Slow Food movement in Boone. This in turn will help educate and spread the word of sustainability issues and alternatives.
Evaluation of Research Guidlines in Law in Mnt. Top Removal
According to the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjectsof Biomedical and Behavioral Research, assessment of the justifiability of research should reflect at least the following considerations: (iv) When vulnerable populations are involved in research, the appropriateness of involving them should itself be demonstrated. A number of variables go into such judgments, including the nature and degree of risk, the condition of the particular population involved, and the nature and level of the anticipated benefits. I believe this MIGHT be applicable to my course of study because I would not hesitate to connote individuals involved in my research as being inherently vulnerable; taking into consideration this assessment's belief that those in economic minorities might be deemed as such. However, I am in no way taking advantage of their underpriviledged state for the availability of research participants. "To our social colleagues we have the responsibility to not engage in actions that impede their reasonable professional activities. Among other things, this means that, while respecting the needs, responsibilities, and legitimate proprietary interests of our sponsors we should not impede the flow of information about research outcomes and professional practice techniques. We shall accurately report the contributions of colleagues to our work. We shall not condone falsification or distortion by others. We should not prejudice communities or agencies against a colleague for reasons of personal gain." -SFAA Ethical Guidlines. I believe this statement to be applicable to my senior project due to the posibility that I might give an inherently negative portrayal of the failing legal suites enacted by certain environmental agencies. Just writing this makes me re-evaluate any negativity that I might offer towards a field outside my own expertise. Instead, I aim to replace that foolishness with a subjective portrayal which aims to cite areas I deem as perhapts faulty in a more appropriate, acedemically appreciated manner. I want to be proud of this project, not my own cynacism. In addition, I will keep in mind what I've learned throughout this review concerning informed consent; however, at this time I do not believe it to be a neccesary consideration seeing that I'm mainly speaking with attorneys. If I do chose to visit with individuals for interviews in the involved communities, obviously I'll take a differing course of action.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Senior Project and research
My idea is a research/project
I want to research practical ways to create a in home hydroponics system that uses multi-tiered space saving techniques to produce both high caloric yields and diverse selection of crops. I am very interested in taking this is far as it would go and my goal is to achieve a tangible product if possible. Here are some of my brainstorm points.
Food Types
I need to know which crops to utilize to provide the best nutritional mix- a mixture of both high caloric yield and nutritionally diverse crops.
Nutrients
I want to study different ways to use compost, possibly bat guano, and various methods of PH control in order to create your own nutrient solutions. I want to also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of chemical solutions.
Energy and efficiency
I want to study various designs, pumps, lights and system orientations to maximize energy efficiency. I want to come up with different dimensions for systems in different home situations. The main concern I have is finding ways to supplement energy from the sun for lights- directly (with windows) or indirectly (solar panels). I need to figure out how much space this system would take and what the most efficient tier system I can implement would be.
Marketability and practicality
My main concern is to create a system that can not only provide a practical function but could also possibly be marketed to middle class groups. I also see how a community of such systems could form a farmer’s market type system to increase diversity of foods and increase the cultural freedom of that community.
Secondary benefits
There are hydroponic systems out there that use the exhaust from high powered lights to supplement heat in a home. Also, air purification, ionizing effects.
Social Philosophies I’m approaching this from
This whole idea stems directly from my philosophies concerning sustainability and how society can possibly move towards it. The basis of this idea is to fight the overwhelming reliance we have on this system for the very tenants of survival- food, water, and shelter. These things, very simply constitute the necessities for personal freedom. If a group of people want to have true freedom, then they must be able to become more self sufficient in these categories. A local network of these systems set up in a kind of farmer’s market has the potential to empower a large number of people against the practices of mono-culture and over-cultivation of the land. I think this is a very worthy first step in starting productive movement towards sustainability.
As IDS majors and aficionados, we exhibit a higher level of mental freedom then many of our more singularly focused colligate counterparts. If we can start moving towards physical freedom we will be that much closer to making a tangible difference in society.
I want to research practical ways to create a in home hydroponics system that uses multi-tiered space saving techniques to produce both high caloric yields and diverse selection of crops. I am very interested in taking this is far as it would go and my goal is to achieve a tangible product if possible. Here are some of my brainstorm points.
Food Types
I need to know which crops to utilize to provide the best nutritional mix- a mixture of both high caloric yield and nutritionally diverse crops.
Nutrients
I want to study different ways to use compost, possibly bat guano, and various methods of PH control in order to create your own nutrient solutions. I want to also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of chemical solutions.
Energy and efficiency
I want to study various designs, pumps, lights and system orientations to maximize energy efficiency. I want to come up with different dimensions for systems in different home situations. The main concern I have is finding ways to supplement energy from the sun for lights- directly (with windows) or indirectly (solar panels). I need to figure out how much space this system would take and what the most efficient tier system I can implement would be.
Marketability and practicality
My main concern is to create a system that can not only provide a practical function but could also possibly be marketed to middle class groups. I also see how a community of such systems could form a farmer’s market type system to increase diversity of foods and increase the cultural freedom of that community.
Secondary benefits
There are hydroponic systems out there that use the exhaust from high powered lights to supplement heat in a home. Also, air purification, ionizing effects.
Social Philosophies I’m approaching this from
This whole idea stems directly from my philosophies concerning sustainability and how society can possibly move towards it. The basis of this idea is to fight the overwhelming reliance we have on this system for the very tenants of survival- food, water, and shelter. These things, very simply constitute the necessities for personal freedom. If a group of people want to have true freedom, then they must be able to become more self sufficient in these categories. A local network of these systems set up in a kind of farmer’s market has the potential to empower a large number of people against the practices of mono-culture and over-cultivation of the land. I think this is a very worthy first step in starting productive movement towards sustainability.
As IDS majors and aficionados, we exhibit a higher level of mental freedom then many of our more singularly focused colligate counterparts. If we can start moving towards physical freedom we will be that much closer to making a tangible difference in society.
about me
I grew up in Raleigh, where I did all my schooling from preschool to 12th grade. I’ve been in Boone for the last four years where I garnered an interest first in Sustainable Development from my first semester, specifically in Chuck’s Politics Technology and the Environment class. It didn’t take long for me to move quickly away from pre-professional biology which is what I came to Appalachain under the banner of. Since then I’ve found almost a split interest in the field of sustainability. I enjoy learning the philosophical ramifications of consumer society and the issues facing sustainability that stem from things as sensual construction of one’s reality and how current system marketing techniques have played into this development. I also feel a need to create tangible developments that do not necessarily create sustainable solutions, but move in the direction of sustainability. I believe that by increasing the true freedom of groups of people (i.e. the necessities for survival like food) yo0u can actually empower people against a system they may have life long reservations against but otherwise complete reliance on for survival. Since I understand many of the daunting cultural issues that cripple sustainability, I’ve decided to approach sustainability in terms of smaller, more practical steps towards sustainability that you can successfully market to at least middle class America. My hydroponics idea, which I will expand upon in later writings, goes along these lines.
I also enjoy promoting socially conscious ideals through fund raising and music. Music is my other great passion, and being able to find ways to mix the two and come out with better versions of both has been fun. Throwing concert events to support local non-profits and food drives- these are ways we have successfully brought the two together in the past. I hope to maintain and expand upon these events in the future. I play keyboards and hand percussion and have a couple of bands that play around on the local level.
When I graduate I plan to move “Pacific Northwestwards” to Washington or Oregon. There I plan on really expanding on these ideas and concepts while trying to finish graduate work. I think the university system will be the best medium for me to turn ideas into reality. If I could ever find a way to mix sustainable ideas with a large popular culture movement it would represent the culmination of all of my ideas on approaching sustainability.
Course List: Most valuable in getting me to this point
Intro to Sustainable Development- Chuck Smith
Politics, Technology & the Environment – Chuck Smith
Sustainable Development- Jeff Boyer
Globalization and Rural Development- Jeff Boyer
Meaning- Diane Mines
Bodies Places and Things- Richard Carp
Agroecology- Kristoff DenBiggelar
Sustainable Transport- Jack
Books: Fast Food Nation – very accessible, very influential
Second Nature, Michael Pollen
Botany of Desire, Michael Pollen
Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankel
Understanding Media, Marshall Mcluhan
I also enjoy promoting socially conscious ideals through fund raising and music. Music is my other great passion, and being able to find ways to mix the two and come out with better versions of both has been fun. Throwing concert events to support local non-profits and food drives- these are ways we have successfully brought the two together in the past. I hope to maintain and expand upon these events in the future. I play keyboards and hand percussion and have a couple of bands that play around on the local level.
When I graduate I plan to move “Pacific Northwestwards” to Washington or Oregon. There I plan on really expanding on these ideas and concepts while trying to finish graduate work. I think the university system will be the best medium for me to turn ideas into reality. If I could ever find a way to mix sustainable ideas with a large popular culture movement it would represent the culmination of all of my ideas on approaching sustainability.
Course List: Most valuable in getting me to this point
Intro to Sustainable Development- Chuck Smith
Politics, Technology & the Environment – Chuck Smith
Sustainable Development- Jeff Boyer
Globalization and Rural Development- Jeff Boyer
Meaning- Diane Mines
Bodies Places and Things- Richard Carp
Agroecology- Kristoff DenBiggelar
Sustainable Transport- Jack
Books: Fast Food Nation – very accessible, very influential
Second Nature, Michael Pollen
Botany of Desire, Michael Pollen
Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankel
Understanding Media, Marshall Mcluhan
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