STRUCTURE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A CAPSTONE COURSE

 

Donald McLeod, Carl Olson and Edward Bradley

Department of Agricultural

and Applied Economics

University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071

(307) 766-3116

dmcleod@uwyo.edu

Undergraduate writing lacks incentives/professional immediacy.

Consider the single topic class-wide term paper,

the out of department essay or the group project all to be completed in 1-2 months…

Students are frustrated with their work;Instructors spend time on hastily written

and incoherent papers.

A capstone project consists of….

Students selecting an issue and developing a solution.

Their topic will be relevant to the work anticipated in a prospective career.

Students utilize concepts obtained from their major courses.

Paper is a tangible outcome of the student’s undergraduate training.

Capstone project courses can achieve many of the following:

Writing that requires the student to draw on the curriculum and learned skills of the major;

Major-specific writing that provides a transition into one's profession; AND

Development of professional communication skills, where project analysis is documented and defended.

THIS IS A MAJOR-SPECIFIC PROJECT/RESEARCH CLASS THAT

EMPHASIZES:

Identifying an agricultural economic issue;

Identifying questions to be addressed by economic analysis;

Summarizing means of economic evaluation/analysis;

Discussing problem solution/position; and

Indicating strengths and weaknesses of outcomes.

Topics Who… a ranch

a farm a household

a community

an industry

Topics (cont.) What…

livestock/crop production

agricultural or consumer demandmarket analysis

product marketinginternational trade

policy analysislegal issues/regulationresource management

Topics (cont.)

How the topic lends itself to economic analysis…

Revenues….Costs ….Risks

Budgeting

Benefit Cost Analysis

Risk Analysis

Business Plan

Policy Analysis

Each student is expected to perform the following:

1st Semester

Resume

Identify a project topic

Project proposal

Paper outline

Bibliography 

Student assignments (cont.)

2nd Semester

Method of analysis & results summary

Review (complete) paper

Final (revised) paper

Executive summary

Abstract

Oral (in-class) presentation

Efficient Use of Student and Instructor Time, Students

Two semesters for step-wise development of paper.

1st develop familiarity with topic by reading, discussion, assembling of materials,

and organization. Meet with instructor monthly

2nd emphasize analysis, interpretation, and communication: both written and spoken.

Meet with instructor upon receiving graded assignment 

Student as an increasingly informed writer through research process

Efficient Use of Student and Instructor Time Student (cont.), Instructor:Instructor Recommendations For A Successful Student Project:

Visit with faculty

Make use of reference librarians

Make use of class handouts

View examples of completed assignments.

Keep file of project materials.

Do not re-invent the wheel, rely on references

Write often

Read aloud to edit

Efficient Use of Student and Instructor Time (cont.), Instructor: 

Require Intro/Background/Methods/Results/Conclusions mode of organization;Summarize evaluation w/ key (‘thou must’) items;Use one page edit as writing example approach; andEncourage student visits Use iterative evaluation:Suggestions addressed in subsequent assignments. Most recently graded assignment handed in with current one.

CAPSTONE PROJECTS 1995-2003

“Retained Ownership of Calves in South East Wyoming”

“Seed Alfalfa As An Alternative Crop”

“The Future of Japan-U.S. Beef Trade”

“Feasibility of Buying Land and Livestock on Borrowed Capital”

“The Potential Economic Advantages of Galloway Cattle For The Northern Rocky Mountain Region”

“Effects of NAFTA on Wyoming Livestock”

“Economic Viability of Converting a Dryland Farm to Organic Crop Production”

“The Economic Advantages of a Marketing Cooperative For Livestock Producers”

“Management Practices and the Economic Effects of Leafy Spurge on the Northern Great Plains”

“Economic Evaluation of Alternative Irrigation Systems in Albany County Wyoming”

CAPSTONE PROJECTS 1995-2003 (cont.)

“Developing a Marketing Plan for a Bovine Reproductive Center”

“Advantages and Disadvantages of a Ranch Recreation Operation in Wyoming”

“Relation of Low Cholesterol Red Meat vs. Lowering the Health Dollar”

“Economic Benefits of Intercropping Corn With Annual Medic on Irrigated Farms in Wyoming”

“Policy for the Empowerment of the Women of Mozambique”

“A Business Plan For Double Quarter Circle Horses” 

“The Economic Impact Holly Sugar Company Has on the Economy of Goshen County Wyoming”

“Selling the Farm: Agriculture and Urbanization in Weld County, Colorado”

“Analyzing the Risk in Marketing Winter Wheat In the Cash, Futures, and Options Markets”

“Benefits of Confined Animal Feeding Operations in Platte County”