SAMPLE WRITING ASSIGNMENT


Type: Research/Thesis paper.
Length: 3 - 5 pages, plus works cited page.
Required references: At least two in addition to your textbook and lecture notes..
Due Date: Monday, 5 May

In this paper you will address the problem of human overpopulation. There are two critical aspects to the assignment:
  • You will analyze the problem of population from a quantitative point of view, using the mathematical techniques you learned in class (exponential functions) to model global population growth, and predict outcomes.
  • You will then propose measures and solutions to address the problem of human overpopulation. This will be challenging, but we will have ample opportunity during lecture time to discuss possible approaches. You must then apply your exponential modelling techniques to quantify your solutions, that is, to predict what will happen if your solution is implemented. You can and should do this even if you decide that your solution is that there is no solution (other than Malthusian ones).
You are urged to make judicious use of graphs. These may be computer generated and incorporated directly into your paper if you have the necessary software and know-how, or they may be neatly hand-drawn on separate sheets and attached following the pages of text in your paper. Such figures should be referrenced in the body of your paper by "Figure 1," or "Table 2," etc. (Attached graphs do not count towards the length requirement.) Equations should be typeset in-line with your text if possible (use superscripting, etc.). If this doesn't work out, leave white space in your text and hand letter the equations in the appropriate places.

It can be very challenging to cope with the enormous amount of data available on global population growth. You will have to make some simplifying assumptions in building your model, for otherwise the complexity of it will be more than you can handle. Be sure that you make your simplifying assumptions explicit in your paper, however. You may, for instance, wish to focus your attention on one or two representative countries rather than the whole globe, and then make reasoned generalizations.

I wish to emphasize that I do not want a philosophical paper, or predictions based on anything other than a quantitative assessment. In other words, I want a serious attempt to deal with the problem in practical terms. If you decide there are no solutions, you should then explore in some depth your prediction of the consequences in each case. However, if you approach the paper with a prejudgment that the race is doomed, it's apt to make for a less than stellar paper – dreary at best, and not easy to develop fully.

This is not a trivial undertaking. You will need to gather data, think about possible solutions (starting with solutions proposed by others and found on the web or discussed in class), and then organize your paper and do the actual mathematics to support your argument. I strongly recommend you budget at least a couple of hours to cruise the web on this issue. Below are sites for getting raw data, but there are dozens of other sites (exhibiting greater or lesser degrees of flakiness) arguing many sides of the issue. A familiarity with these arguments will help you to formulate your own position and solutions.

The following sources are highly recommended for gathering raw data. In the CIA page, select "1996 World FactBook." This will give you a very complete profile of every country in the world – including all sorts of population data, such as growth rates. The Census site will also give you very clear data on population, including predictions for the near future.

Finally, I am aware that this paper may touch on some sensitive issues, such as political, ethical, or religious issues, for some of you. If this aspect of the paper causes you any difficulty, be sure to talk to me about it. It is not my wish to make anyone uncomfortable with his or her beliefs. Indeed, please don't hesitate to ask me about any aspect of the assignment that causes you trouble.

Remember that this is not about some hypothetical problem – your own abilities at quantitative reasoning should quickly convince you that this issue demands your serious attention.

GO TO "WRITING FOR A MATH CLASS" MINITEXT



HOME | ABOUT | CONTACT | AD INFO | PRIVACY

Copyright © 1997-2010, Math Academy Online™ / Platonic Realms™. Except where otherwise prohibited, material on this site may be printed for personal classroom use without permission by students and instructors for non-profit, educational purposes only. All other reproduction in whole or in part, including electronic reproduction or redistribution, for any purpose, except by express written agreement is strictly prohibited. Please send comments, corrections, and enquiries using our contact page.