The primary written assignment for this subject is a research paper of approximately 25 pages, on a topic of the student's choice. The paper is written in stages: first a proposal and bibliography, then a working outline; the completed paper is due at the end of the semester. Students present an oral progress report in the middle of the semester, and give a full report on their research at the end.
In addition, each week two students are responsible for introducing the discussion of the assigned readings.
In past terms, students have written on topics such as Dioramas in Swedish museums; Radio tracking of birds and animals; Development of national parks in Costa Rica; Attempts to control Indian reservations in the Pacific Northwest during the 19th Century, both politically and environmentally; and the development of weather forecasting in the Caribbean at the end of 19th Century.