Coastal Management Problem Memos |
| One of the ways that you will develop your skills as a coastal manager is to use the theories, concepts, and legal precedents to analyze a series of coastal management problems. Some of these problems are hypothetical while others are based on real places and events. These problem assignments are designed to heighten your interest and awareness of the significant issues that coastal and environmental managers face. They also allow you to practice diagnosing problems and to develop your ability to respond to these situations. This does not promise that you will learn how to solve problems without creating others but it should help sensitize you to some of the more obvious issues and traps involved in problem-solving and help you to better understand the consequences of alternative courses of action. |
| Over the course of the semester you will be required to prepare at least 6 memos that respond to a particular, question, problem, case, or reading (See each assignment's web page below). Your best 6 of 8 memo grades will count towards your final grade. |
| Each assignment generally asks you to analyze the readings and apply the topics and concepts discussed. The problems are designed to heighten your interest and awareness of the significant legal issues and policy problems that coastal managers can face. The memo assignments also help you to develop your communication skills. Accordingly, Be sure that the memo is a specific as possible. The decisionmaker should know precisely what you want them to do about the problem/issue and what you plan to do to carry out your recommendations. |
| Since many of the problems are complex and involve a variety or real or hypothetical issues, you will benefit from discussing these assignments with your classmates. While you must prepare your own individual written assignments, I encourage you to work together in analyzing the problems. |
Grading |
| Your memos will be evaluated based on your analysis of the problem, the organization of your ideas, your ability to properly apply the theories and concepts discussed in class and the quality of your writing (e.g., spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.). Your goal is to write as clearly, concisely, and directly as possible. Elegance of style, while desirable, is a secondary consideration. Short declarative sentences often convey ideas equally well; convoluted grammar confuses things and often leads to misunderstandings. Remember that you are trying to convey your ideas to people who have infinite demands on their time. A simple, direct style economizes on time. |
| Length is also a critical matter, particularly if your memos are addressed to top agency officials. If greater length is required, it should take the form of an attached analytical paper with a short cover memo summarizing its contents. For this class, your memos should not exceed 3 single-spaced typed pages with 1 inch margins. If it is longer, I will only read the first 3 pages and it will be graded accordingly. |
| Your memos are also expected to be professional in nature. Thus, they should utilize a standard professional format. Any format is acceptable provided that is businesslike and prepared in a professional manner. |
| Class Discussion |
| We will spend a considerable portion of each class period discussing the problems. Schedule permitting, we may have a field trip and meet with local or state officials to discuss how they have responded to similar problems. Even if you did not prepare a memo, you must be prepared to present your analysis of the problem and how you would respond to the situation. Failure to actively participate and contribute to these class discussions will adversely effect your participation grade. |
