Position papers:  each student will write two position papers - 3-5 pages in length - during the semester.  The topics...

Position papers:  each student will write two position papers - 3-5 pages in length - during the semester.  The topics will be assigned by the instructor.  Each assignment will include a percentage of the grade devoted toward writing style. All papers must include properly documented references to all source material. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade on the assignment.

1. Shasta Dam Expansion

The Shasta Dam in northern California is a vital cog of the Central California Project. While building the dam for flood control, water provision and electricity production, the confluence of three rivers - centered on the Sacramento River were flooded. The resulting Shasta Lake has become a tourism focus. Simultaneously, the dam's environmental impact on salmon and other species has become controversial. There is a current discussion to raise the upper level of the dam in order to increase water storage and consistency.

A recent report was concluded as such: "The billion dollars it would cost to raise the dam holding back the largest reservoir in California would, at least on the surface, be money well spent, a federal study concluded this week."

Students with a randomly assigned number of 1 will write in favor of expanding the dam. Students with a number 2 will write against expanding the dam. My number is _____