Assignment Overview<\/p>\n
How might evolution progress if the planet were suddenly devoid of people? In this assignment, you will speculate as to how evolutionary processes would continue if all humans went extinct tomorrow. For this assignment, we do not care why humans went extinct. We will just assume that they simply vanish and leave the world exactly as it is right now. In other words, do not make an assumption of nuclear fallout or other such disaster. By the way, this assignment is based on Alan Weisman\u2019s book, \u201cThe World without Us.\u201d It is a fun read if you are looking for a book recommendation.<\/p>\n
Assignment 11a, Step 1: Write your essay<\/p>\n
Write a 250-400 word essay describing what would happen to a species of choice if humans went extinct tomorrow. It is okay to go a little over the word limit.<\/p>\n
To start, choose one specific organism or taxonomic group. Then think about the direct and indirect interactions humans have with this organism. If you eliminate these interactions, what would happen over the next 100-200 generations? <\/p>\n
Go into full detail about what would happen, the evolutionary mechanisms by which it would happen, the genetics behind it, and other related details. <\/p>\n
When thinking about vocabulary and concepts, please use specific evolutionary terminology that we learned in class. So that I know that you recognize the concepts of evolutionary biology, you must boldface or highlight at least three of the evolutionary vocabulary words and\/or concepts you use. I will not count general terms such as organism, population, genetics, animal, plant\u2026, environment, predator\/predation\/herbivore\/herbivory\u2026, ancestor, breeding\/reproducing\/offspring, habitat, species, survive, adapt, evolve\/evolution. <\/p>\n
Make sure not to misuse vocabulary. <\/p>\n
Give your essay a short title.<\/p>\n
List your word count at the end of your essay.<\/p>\n
This is a creative essay. Research is not mandatory because there is no single answer. I will examine your logic and your ability to justify your speculation with information and concepts from class. That said, if you are not sure how humans currently interact with your organism, feel free to do some online research. Ultimately, you will be graded with the rubric found at How You Will be Graded for Assignment 11b, so you may wish to review it now.<\/p>\n
Assignment 11a, Step 2: Post your essay to the discussion forum<\/p>\n
Please post your essay to the discussion forum titled \u201cAssignment 11a: If Humans Went Extinct\u201d by the due date listed in the weekly schedule summary. Copy-paste your essay directly into the message. Do not attach any documents or include links. You will not be able to read your peers\u2019 essays until you have completed yours, so the discussion forum will appear empty until you post. <\/p>\n
Assignment 11a, Step 3: Read and comment on your peers\u2019 essays<\/p>\n
You will read at least three of your peers\u2019 essays: the two posted before (above) you and one of your choice. If you are the first person to post, freely choose three peers; if you are the second person to post, post to the peer above you and freely choose two peers. After you have read your peers\u2019 essays, provide feedback. In your feedback, which should be at least 50 words for each peer, describe what you think of their speculation. Identify and expand on what you think is plausible. Additionally, identify any errors and\/or omissions in evolutionary content. (Note: It is alright to post the morning after the due date; those who post early do not need to stay up all night waiting for others.)<\/p>\n
How You Will be Graded for Assignment 11a<\/p>\n
Below is the rubric by which you will be graded for Assignment 11a.<\/p>\n
5 points (Proficient)<\/p>\n
3-4 points (Developing)<\/p>\n
0-2 points (Scant)<\/p>\n
Posts own essay. (1 point)<\/p>\n
Does not post own essay.<\/p>\n
Provides feedback to at least the 2 assigned peers and 1 peer of choice. (1 point)<\/p>\n
Provides feedback to 1-2 peers.<\/p>\n
Provides no feedback to peers.<\/p>\n
Feedback to peers details both what is plausible and errors in content, if any. (3 points)<\/p>\n
Feedback to peers mentions both what is plausible and errors in content, if any.<\/p>\n
Feedback to peer(s) is superficial.<\/p>\n
Assignment 11b, Step 1: Read feedback from peers and modify your essay<\/p>\n
Read your peers\u2019 feedback and modify your essay, as desired. You may decide whether to use your peers\u2019 feedback. <\/p>\n
Assignment 11b, Step 2: Post your final draft<\/p>\n
Save your final essay as a .docx or .pdf and submit it to \u201cAssignment 11b: If Humans Went Extinct\u201d by the due date listed in the weekly schedule summary. <\/p>\n
How You Will be Graded for Assignment 11b<\/p>\n
Below is the rubric by which you will be graded. <\/p>\n
9-10 points (Proficient)<\/p>\n
7-8 points (Developing)<\/p>\n
0-6 points (Scant)<\/p>\n
Author provides highly creative and detailed speculation as to the evolutionary processes that would occur in the absence of humans. (2points)<\/p>\n
Author provides creative, but minimally detailed speculation as to the evolutionary processes that would occur in the absence of humans. <\/p>\n
Author provides minimal effort in speculating as to the evolutionary processes that would occur in the absence of humans.<\/p>\n
Author clearly recognizes and identifies the complex relationships between humans and other biota. (2 points)<\/p>\n
Author is aware of key relationships between humans and other biota.<\/p>\n
Author seems unaware of key relationships between humans and other biota.<\/p>\n
Author correctly uses at least three vocabulary words and\/or concepts that are specific to evolutionary biology. These words and\/or concepts are either boldfaced or highlighted. (3 points)<\/p>\n
Author correctly uses at least two vocabulary words and\/or concepts that are specific to evolutionary biology. <\/p>\n
Author correctly uses one or fewer vocabulary words and\/or concepts that are specific to evolutionary biology.<\/p>\n
No incorrect usage of terminology. (1 point)<\/p>\n
There is one incorrect usage of terminology.<\/p>\n
There is more than one incorrect usage of terminology<\/p>\n
Fewer than two spelling or grammatical errors. (1 point)<\/p>\n
Infrequent or minor spelling and grammatical errors.<\/p>\n
Frequent or major spelling and grammatical errors.<\/p>\n
Essay is at least 250 words and word count is provided. (1 point)<\/p>\n
Essay is at least 250 words.<\/p>\n
Essay is less than 250 words.<\/p>\n
Page 3 of 3<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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