Research project

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STC 100 2019 Research Project (Case for Action)

Due Date: 5.00 pm, 21st November, 2020.

Weighting: 40% of the final grade/marked out of 100.

Length/Style: 1,500 words (excl. references & direct quotations) written in continuous prose.

Method of Submission: To Moodle page assignment submission portal via Turnitin.

Detailed Advice on Content

Your ‘case for action’ should begin by identifying a problem or positive possibility linked directly to topics covered between Weeks 8 and 12 (and Week 1). Carefully describe its political, cultural and technical dimensions.

In the second part of your ‘case for action’ you should describe strategies that should be encouraged to tackle the problem, or promote the positive possibilities you have identified. You should also reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies you have described keeping in mind the possibility for measurable outcomes and tangible results.

A non-exhaustive set of strategies could include: encouraging greater public awareness; government action via regulation or promotion; personal engagement and behavioural change. It is also possible to discuss a mixture of these. Possible topics you could choose include:

a) Strategies for creating greater public awareness and reduction of ‘e waste’

b) The role of labelling of health risks for consumer products and food

c) Strategies for improving accurate media reporting on the role of technology in contributing to and helping to reduce global warming

d) The regulation or promotion of hacker/garage biology

e) The export of pollution and health risks relating to technical innovation in wealthy countries to poorer countries

f) How products and markets can be redesigned to minimize waste and maximize recycling.

The ‘case for action’ should refer back to at least two (2) subject readings contained on the Moodle site for STC 100 and use at least another five (5) sources, with a minimum of two (2) sources from 2020 which you have identified in your research.

Assessment Criteria

1. Engagement with subject material (readings, lectures, ‘in class’ discussions)

2. Engagement with subject issues and themes

3. Quality of argument and discussion

4. Quality of writing

5. Critical thinking

Format

Clearly mark your name, the name of your tutor, and the topic

of your plan for action on the cover page of your report

Use A4 paper.

All assessments should be word processed.

All assessments must be page numbered.

All sources must be properly referenced, including page references where relevant, using the Harvard Author/Date system. See subject Moodle site for full details.

Assessments must be laid out in 1.5 line spacing (minimum) or in double spacing.

Use one style of font consistently throughout the assignment.

12 to 14 point fonts for headings, 11 to 12 point fonts for text, 10 point fonts for

endnotes/ bibliographies.

Leave a margin of no less than 3 cm to allow for markers’ comments.