Project Phase 1: Foundation & Ideas – Introduction to Environment & Sustainability

Updates 7/29/25

Timeline: Weeks 1-4

AI Support: AI Worksheet 1: Topic Development
Deliverable: Chapter Review + Values + Topics
Deliverable: AI Worksheet 1 linked to Chapter Review document
Deliverable: Group Presentation of Chapter

Overview

Phase 1 establishes your foundation for the entire project. You’ll deeply engage with an environmental topic through a textbook chapter, explore your personal environmental values, and generate three potential project ideas that could become your TPG proposal. You will also present the textbook chapter content, with fellow students, in class.

You will receive an email with your assigned chapter and other students assigned the same chapter (for presentation)

Combine Part A, B, and C below into a single, 6 page document

- Formatting and other information on Main Project Page under Essential Information
- Name it: “Chapter Review – [Your Name]”
- Due Wednesday, September 10

Part A: Chapter Review (4 pages)

Your Assigned Chapter

You will be assigned – randomly – a chapter from the course text, Paul Robbins, John Hintz, and Sarah A. Moore, Environment & Society: A Critical Introduction (3rd edition; RHM for short). Watch your email.

Writing your Chapter Review

Write for interested non-experts – people who want to understand the topic but haven’t read the chapter, like your fellow students.

Include your name, course name, assignment name, and date.

Include the chapter you are reviewing and source citation: Paul Robbins, John Hintz, and Sarah A. Moore, Environment & Society: A Critical Introduction (3rd edition). Wiley/Blackwell 2022.

Page 1: Chapter Summary

- Key concepts and issues related to your chapter
- Major perspectives from the first half of the book (chs. 2-10) that apply to your chapter topic. You may have to dig into the material in the first half of the book
- Central debates or controversies

Pages 2-4: Detailed Analysis

- Develop three key aspects of your chapter topic in depth
- Show how different theoretical perspectives illuminate the topic
- Analyze the environmental and social context of the topic
- End with your assessment of the chapter’s major takeaways

Part B: Environmental Values Assessment (1 page)

Understanding Your Values

Before developing project ideas, it is essential to understand what drives your environmental thinking. Values shape what projects and approaches will genuinely motivate you.

Complete the Assessment

Review the Environmental Values page and identify:

- Your top 3-4 values from Schwartz’s 10 types
- Your environmental values profile using Bouman’s 4 categories
- How these values connect to your academic/professional interests

Write Your Analysis

Honestly assess your values – this isn’t about having the “right” environmental values, but understanding your authentic motivations.

Part C: Three Project Topics (1 page)

Generating Ideas

A viable idea is vital! Use your instructor, the Science Librarian, potentially other OWU faculty and staff, or off-campus professionals to discuss your ideas. Develop three potential TPG project topics that could become funded undergraduate research. Each topic idea should:

- Connect to your values and interests
- Address an environmental (or other) issue
- Be feasible as a TPG-funded project (focused, doable, within cost parameters)
- Have potential for real-world impact

AI Support Available: Use AI Worksheet 1: Topic Development to:

- Brainstorm connections between your interests and environmental issues
- Refine vague ideas into specific project options
- Identify potential challenges and resources needed
- Develop more focused research questions
- Copy AI Worksheet 1 to your shared folder and complete it
  - Include a link to your completed worksheet in your Chapter Review submission
  - Reference insights from the AI Worksheet in your three project topics

Project Scope Examples

Your projects could involve:

- Research: Studying local environmental issues
- Community engagement: Education or outreach programs
- Internships: Working with environmental organizations
- Campus initiatives: Sustainability projects at OWU
- Policy analysis: Researching environmental regulations
- International work: Projects abroad (with proper preparation)

Topic Development Process

1. Start broad: What environmental issues interest you?
2. Connect personally: How do these relate to your values and career goals?
3. Get specific: What specific aspect could you realistically investigate?
4. Consider feasibility: What resources, partners, or permissions would you need?
5. Think impact: How might this work contribute beyond your own learning?

Common Challenges & Solutions (Chapter Review)

“I can’t think of any project ideas” → Use the AI worksheet’s interest mining approach – start with hobbies, places you’ve lived, things that frustrate you

“My ideas seem too big/small” → TPG projects range widely in scope – discuss feasibility in office hours

“I don’t understand my chapter” → Read related chapters in the first half of the book; ask questions in class

“My values seem selfish” → Honest self-assessment is more valuable than trying to sound virtuous

Assessment Criteria (Chapter Review)

Your 6-page chapter review + values + topics will be evaluated on:

- Comprehension: Clear understanding of chapter content and concepts
- Analysis: Thoughtful application of theoretical perspectives
- Values insight: Honest, reflective assessment of your environmental values
- Project potential: Feasible, interesting topics with development potential
- Writing quality: Clear organization, appropriate tone, proper citations

Part D: Group Presentation of Chapter

You’ll present your chapter content with several of your fellow kids assigned the same chapter.

Your fellow presenters were sent to you in the email with your assigned chapter
Check the schedule for your presentation date.
Check the presentation date page (on schedule) for a page of sources and a set of Google Slides you can modify and use
- one group member:
  - download the chapter slides as Powerpoint to your computer
  - reupload to your shared class folder and convert to Google Slides
  - share the slides with every student in the group
- develop a 20-minute presentation
  - include the chapter topic and all group member names
  - divide up the work as your group sees fit
  - you can’t include everything – remove some content and emphasize other content you think is important
  - enhance the slides with images or other content (avoid video of more than 10 seconds)
  - anticipate questions from the audience
Be a good group member
Pay attention to deficits in your presentation you can improve for the final presenation

Common Challenges & Solutions (Presentation)

“I can’t get a presentation partner to respond to me” → Contact your instructor

“A presentation partner’s work is not up to my standards” → Talk to the partner respectfully and see if they will step up. If not, contact your instructor

“I can’t get a presentation partner to respond to me” → Contact your instructor

“I’m terrified of presenting in public” → Everyone is anxious about presenting. The more you do it, the easier it gets. You are presenting to people who are empathetic and supportive. No one will judge you harshly. Contact your instructor for more support.

Assessment Criteria (Presentation)

Your group presentation will be evaluated based on:

- Selection and presentation of key concepts and ideas from chapter
- Clear presentation style and quality presentation slides
- Individual contribution to presentation
- Ability to address questions

What’s Next?

In Phase 2 you’ll select your strongest topic idea and begin serious research. The quality of your Phase 1 topic development directly impacts your success in later phases, so invest the time to do this thoughtfully.