Subject: Environmental Systems & Societies
Topic: Climate change and the California almond industry
Research question: To what extent is the California almond industry vulnerable to the impacts of climate change?
Outline of approach: A detailed analysis of secondary data on temperature, precipitation, diseases and productivity. The essay evaluates the impact of climate change on the almond industry in California.
Topic: Effects of ethnicity and socioeconomic status in the generation of household food waste
Research question: To what extent do income and ethnicity influence purchase habits, and hence food waste generation, among adults in Hong Kong?
Outline of approach: Primary data is collected through an online questionnaire. Research is analysed and compared with secondary sources such as scientific journals and government publications. The essay evaluates the relevance of income and ethnicity on consumption and consequent waste for adults in Hong Kong.
Topic: The ecological footprint of the school cafeteria
Research question: What overall estimate of the environmental impact of the school cafeteria can be made in terms of an ecological footprint?
Approach: An analysis of records and practical measurements assessing the inputs and outputs of the cafeteria, and a synthesis of data into a holistic model indicating the environmental impact.
Topic: Architectural sustainability and the future of Vancouver Island
Research question: What forms of sustainable construction may be utilized in the future on Vancouver Island (Canada)?
Approach: An analysis of current sustainable building techniques and a comparison of the environmental impacts of two options of sustainable housing.
Topic: Revival of the gray wolf in the National Forest of Colorado
Research question: Is the reintroduction of Canus lupus in the Pike and Isabel National Forests of Colorado (USA) possible, even with a significant cattle presence?
Approach: Presenting a potential reintroduction area and analysing, using secondary data, the viability of wolf introduction within the proposed area.
Topic: Comparing air pollution levels between a rural and an urban area in the UK
Research question: Is there a significant difference in air quality between central Cambridge and Sawston (UK)?
Approach: A fieldwork investigation using data loggers and probes to collect data. Comparison of the results with secondary data from different regions.
Topic: Climate change and the California almond industry
Research question: To what extent is the California almond industry vulnerable to the impacts of climate change?
Outline of approach: A detailed analysis of secondary data on temperature, precipitation, diseases and productivity. The essay evaluates the impact of climate change on the almond industry in California.
Topic: Effects of ethnicity and socioeconomic status in the generation of household food waste
Research question: To what extent do income and ethnicity influence purchase habits, and hence food waste generation, among adults in Hong Kong?
Outline of approach: Primary data is collected through an online questionnaire. Research is analysed and compared with secondary sources such as scientific journals and government publications. The essay evaluates the relevance of income and ethnicity on consumption and consequent waste for adults in Hong Kong.
Topic: The ecological footprint of the school cafeteria
Research question: What overall estimate of the environmental impact of the school cafeteria can be made in terms of an ecological footprint?
Approach: An analysis of records and practical measurements assessing the inputs and outputs of the cafeteria, and a synthesis of data into a holistic model indicating the environmental impact.
Topic: Architectural sustainability and the future of Vancouver Island
Research question: What forms of sustainable construction may be utilized in the future on Vancouver Island (Canada)?
Approach: An analysis of current sustainable building techniques and a comparison of the environmental impacts of two options of sustainable housing.
Topic: Revival of the gray wolf in the National Forest of Colorado
Research question: Is the reintroduction of Canus lupus in the Pike and Isabel National Forests of Colorado (USA) possible, even with a significant cattle presence?
Approach: Presenting a potential reintroduction area and analysing, using secondary data, the viability of wolf introduction within the proposed area.
Topic: Comparing air pollution levels between a rural and an urban area in the UK
Research question: Is there a significant difference in air quality between central Cambridge and Sawston (UK)?
Approach: A fieldwork investigation using data loggers and probes to collect data. Comparison of the results with secondary data from different regions.
These ESS examples are just for guidance. Students must ensure their choice of topic is focused rather than broad.
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Broad topics
Environmental effects of mining Efficiency of world food production Impacts of global warming Paper recycling |
Focused topics
The ecological recovery of worked-out bauxite quarries in Jarrahdale, Western Australia A comparison of the energy efficiency of grain production in the Netherlands and Swaziland The comparative significance of different sources of carbon dioxide pollution in Nairobi and Mombasa Managing the environmental impact of paper use at a school in Quito (Ecuador) |
Subject: Literature & Performance
Topic: Sherlock Holmes and Watson as they are depicted in the television production Elementary
Research question: How have the changes in Watson in the television production of "Elementary" affected the portrayal of both Holmes and Watson?
Outline of approach: You will need to consider Conan Doyle’s approach to the relationship between Holmes and Watson, exploring some of the critical work that has been written on this aspect of the original fiction. The treatment of the relationship in Elementary will then need to be analysed, e.g. the quality of this new dynamic, critiquing how it affects the partnership.
Topic: Jerome Robbins’ choreography of West Side Story, and of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Research question: How does Jerome Robbins’ choreography of West Side Story transform the original meaning and effect of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
Outline of approach: You will need to identify some central aspects of Shakespeare’s play and point out their presence in West Side Story. Then the choreography will need to be closely examined to discern and evaluate how dance has been used to transform and heighten the meanings and emotional effects of the original play.
Topic: Benjamin Britten’s transformation of The Turn of the Screw into an opera
Research question: What elements of the original James story has Britten successfully delivered in the operatic version?
Approach: The student will need to select some elements of the original story that Britten has chosen as his focus, analyse how the opera has presented these, and with what degree of success, judged in terms of such elements as suspense and atmosphere.
Topic: Costuming in Flaubert’s portrayal of Emma in Madame Bovary
Research question: How is Flaubert’s portrayal of Emma in Madame Bovary delivered and affected by the costuming in the film version by Claude Chabrol (1991) or that of Vincente Minnelli (2014)?
Approach: The question asks the student to look carefully first at Emma in the novel and how the details of her dress contribute to her overall portrayal in tandem with her actions, words, and gestures. Then, choosing a film, the student will need to cite particular instances of costuming, critiquing the comparative outcomes as they are viewed by modern audiences. Presumably, some evaluative comments might well ensue from this study.
Topic: Sherlock Holmes and Watson as they are depicted in the television production Elementary
Research question: How have the changes in Watson in the television production of "Elementary" affected the portrayal of both Holmes and Watson?
Outline of approach: You will need to consider Conan Doyle’s approach to the relationship between Holmes and Watson, exploring some of the critical work that has been written on this aspect of the original fiction. The treatment of the relationship in Elementary will then need to be analysed, e.g. the quality of this new dynamic, critiquing how it affects the partnership.
Topic: Jerome Robbins’ choreography of West Side Story, and of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Research question: How does Jerome Robbins’ choreography of West Side Story transform the original meaning and effect of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
Outline of approach: You will need to identify some central aspects of Shakespeare’s play and point out their presence in West Side Story. Then the choreography will need to be closely examined to discern and evaluate how dance has been used to transform and heighten the meanings and emotional effects of the original play.
Topic: Benjamin Britten’s transformation of The Turn of the Screw into an opera
Research question: What elements of the original James story has Britten successfully delivered in the operatic version?
Approach: The student will need to select some elements of the original story that Britten has chosen as his focus, analyse how the opera has presented these, and with what degree of success, judged in terms of such elements as suspense and atmosphere.
Topic: Costuming in Flaubert’s portrayal of Emma in Madame Bovary
Research question: How is Flaubert’s portrayal of Emma in Madame Bovary delivered and affected by the costuming in the film version by Claude Chabrol (1991) or that of Vincente Minnelli (2014)?
Approach: The question asks the student to look carefully first at Emma in the novel and how the details of her dress contribute to her overall portrayal in tandem with her actions, words, and gestures. Then, choosing a film, the student will need to cite particular instances of costuming, critiquing the comparative outcomes as they are viewed by modern audiences. Presumably, some evaluative comments might well ensue from this study.
These Literature & Performance examples are just for guidance. Students must ensure their choice of topic is focused rather than broad.
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Broad Topics
Identity in The Color Purple Narrative motifs in the musical Cabaret A study of Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time |
Focused Topics
A study of the evolution of identity in a theatrical adaptation of The Color Purple The way narrative motifs in The Berlin Stories present themselves theatrically in the musical Cabaret A study of the portrayal of Christopher Boone in the stage adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in comparison with the original literary characterization |