201N. Interdisciplinary Research Design (3 credits)

Based on strong recommendations from students in previous year’s cohorts, and in consultation with the Graduate Committee and Curriculum Committee, the original description of ENVS 201N has been abandoned in favor of a NEW EXCITING experiment in looking at research protocols. Instead of a practicum in doing environmental studies, we will combine lecture, reading, exercise, and discussion to look at a range of methods used in Environmental Studies, as envisioned (or actualized) in our department. The two major themes will be (1) how to choose an appropriate method for the kind of question you are asking, and (2) what you need to consider to use that method successfully.

The general structure of the course will be:

Tuesdays (2:00-3:45):

1. Read book chapters or papers discussing the applications of a particular kind of method.

2. Read 1-2 papers that used that method, focusing on the methods.

3. Have a 1-hour lecture about appropriate use, pitfalls, and practice.

Thursdays (2:00-3:00) (this will vary somewhat depending on the topic):

1. Working in pairs, come to class with a 1-page maximum written description of the appropriate application of that method to a question of interest to you. The description should include a clear statement of the question to be addressed, a brief, but specific description of the data that would be collected, and a statement of why this is the appropriate method for addressing that question (as opposed to other methods).

2. Each pair will make a 5-minute presentation of their proposal, followed by 10-min discussion.

Class topics:

April 4, 6 Course Intro., Choosing designs and sampling (Weixin Cheng)

April 11, 13 Planned experiments (Weixin Cheng)

April 18, 20 Surveys (Daniel Press)

April 25, 27 Nitrogen cycling and social issues (Katie Monson)

May 2, 4 Interviews (Jill Harrison)

May 9, 11 Isotopes in global change (Weixin Cheng)

May 16, 18 Compartmental modeling (Weixin Cheng)

May 23, 25 Archival/historical research (Pete Holloran)

May 30, June 1 GIS/Spatial analysis (Brian Fulfrost)

June 6 Meta-analysis (Weixin Cheng)

June 8 Feedback (Weixin Cheng)