Final.Paper.EArtifact.docx

IDST 390: The Ends of the World: Final Paper

This assignment will serve as both the Colonnade Artifact and Evidence & Argument Artifact addressed in the Connections: Social/Cultural category.

This final project will consist of a longer, more detailed essay which addresses an interdisciplinary question regarding The End.

1. The one-page proposal must be approved by the instructor prior to starting the project. This proposal should communicate

1) how the chosen phenomenon is complex and requires IDST

2) how the chosen phenomenon constitutes an appropriate choice for this course; and

3) which two or three specific disciplines (history, chemistry, philosophy, etc.) will be employed by the student in the research including rationale for these choices.

This component is due by 11:59pm on Wednesday 11/9. (25 points)

Examples of appropriate choices

What the 1918 Flu Can Teach Us About PandemicsFear and Reality of Y2K

The Rise of Nuclear Threat and the American Psyche

(These are just examples of past papers. You should choose your own question/phenomenon here)

2. An initial source list must also be submitted for approval before moving into the final stages of completing the paper. Minimally, two distinct disciplines must be represented in the source list (minimum of six scholarly sources on the final draft, though only two strong sources from two different disciplines are required here.). Avoid DotCom sources, Wikipedia, Ask.com, and similar sites. Ultimately, these papers are meant to feature the student’s interdisciplinary methods of approach to their question.

List each source following proper format (APA, MLA, or Chicago). Then, write two or three sentences which describe how this source will likely contribute to your final paper.

This component is due by 11:59pm on Wednesday 11/23. (25 points)

3. The final paper should consist of the following sections (150 points):

a. Introduction and establishment of the IDST phenomenon

b. Rationale of chosen disciplines employed in the research

c. Discussion of insights from discipline #1

d. Discussion of insights from discipline #2

e. Discussion of insights from discipline #3 (if applicable)

f. Synthesis of disciplinary insights

g. Discussion of connections to core IDST course readings (Kyle, Boyer, Repko, other)

h. Attempt to apply new learning to larger social and cultural issues

i. Conclusion and next questions

4. All papers must follow MLA, APA, or Chicago format. The default style for IDST scholars is APA, but if your prior major or emphasis area relies on one of the others you may use the style with which you are most skilled and comfortable. Follow all citation rules and refer to the Purdue OWL as a first source for all writing questions.

FINAL PAPER MUST BE UPLOADED BY 11:59pm on Thursday 12/7.

GRADING RUBRIC

	1 (D or F)	2 (C)	3 (B)	4 (A)
Connections Course Learning Outcomes	Poor (does not meet basic expectations)	Competent (meets basic expectations)	Good (exceeds basic expectations)	Excellent (far exceeds expectations)
Analyze the development of self in relation to others and society. (40 pts)	Does not clearly recognize the value of disciplinary and IDST perspectives in broader cultural conversations surrounding complex phenomena	Recognizes the value of disciplinary and IDST perspective in broader cultural conversations surrounding complex phenomena	Attempts to communicate the value of disciplinary and IDST perspective in broader cultural conversations surrounding complex phenomena	Effectively communicates the value of disciplinary and IDST perspective in broader cultural conversations surrounding complex phenomena
Examine diverse values that form civically engaged and informed members of society. (40 pts)	Does not draw insights from at least two disciplines; and/or relies on weak sources	Draws insights from at least two disciplines from mostly strong sources	Draws insights from at least two disciplines from a strong set of sources	Draws insights from at least two disciplines from a strong set of sources and demonstrates an understanding of the value and limit of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives
Evaluate solutions to real-world social and cultural problems. (30 pts)	Does not attempt to synthesize insights	Attempts to synthesize insights of at least two disciplines	Effectively synthesizes insights from at least two disciplines and attempts to apply new learning to larger social and cultural problem	Effectively synthesizes insights from at least two disciplines and succeeds in applying them to larger social and culture problems
Sources (20 pts)	Relies on DotComs and weak or very few sources of any kind	Relies on a mix of weak and strong sources	Uses strong, relevant sources and meets minimum number of required sources	Uses strong sources from the chosen disciplines and focus on the issue at hand
Format (20 pts)	Haphazard and/or lack of citations or works cited page	Mostly follows APA, MLA, or Chicago citation format and lists all cited sources on a works cited page	Follows APA, MLA, or Chicago format with minimal errors; generally well-organized works cited page	Follows APA, MLA, or Chicago format consistently including the works cited page