Three Credit Option

A major theme for the course is action! Throughout the semester we will deal with a broad array of issues facing our planet and in all of them we focus on solutions and potential actions. By signing up for the 3-credit option, you will design your own action project. Here you have a chance to get involved in an issue of interest and make a difference. You decide the issue and the project while working and communicating with your TA advisor. You may start something completely new or join existing groups on campus or in the community (and remember, our community includes the entire Planet). The key here is action!

Students in the 3-credit option also need to be available on Fridays 8:40-9:55am for occasional meetings. At the start of the semester we will meet on a few consecutive weeks to discuss projects in detail and to invite a panel of previous students to tell us about their action projects.

Project Areas and Contact Information

ARTS/EXPRESSION
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – SOCIAL JUSTICE
CONSERVATON/PLANNING - TBA
ECONOMICS – INVESTING – BUSINESS
EDUCATION – OUTREACH – COMMUNICATION: THROUGH CORNELL
EDUCATION – OUTREACH – COMMUNICATION: ITHACA & TOMPKINS COUNTY
ENERGY – GREEN BUILGINGS – ARCHITECTURE
GARDENING – COMMUNITY GREENING – COMPOSTING
HEALTH - TBA
LOCAL FOODS – AGRICULTURE – ORGANIC
REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE – WASTE MANAGMENT
POLITICS
TRANSPORTATION
Download entire project areas and contact information resource listing.

Action Project Structure and Timeline

To create a community of fellow action-projecteers, students with similar areas of interest will meet as a group with their assigned TA four times during the semester.  These meetings will provide a forum to discuss ideas, exchange information and provide feedback on each other’s projects.  In between these group meetings, students should check-in regularly with their TA advisor (via email or in person at least 1x per week) to update on their progress.

Project Proposals
Short 2-3 page document including the following sections:

1. Overall goals of the project
2. Methods
3. Main resources (contacts, groups, organizations, etc)
4. Desired outcomes with timeline for achieving goals
5. Potential barriers with possible solutions

Students will share these in the 2nd group meeting and turn them in to receive feedback for potential revision from their TA.

Progress Report
1 page documenting the current stage of the project, a re-evaluation of goals and outcomes, and any changes in the project from its inception.

Presentation
Students will be asked to give a 5-7 minute presentation of their projects and/or to present their work at Earth Day, and/or to provide an online forum for their project (depending on student numbers).