Chapter 1b: Ideas for On-Going, Weekly, or Extra Credit Assignments
Weekly Assignment 1: Bring a Product or Website Relevant to the Reading
Objective: Evaluate and analyze the sustainability statements featured on consumer products, assessing their effectiveness, transparency, and potential impact on consumer behavior.
Instructions:
- Choose a consumer product that displays a sustainability statement or claim relevant to the week’s topic. Examples include a reusable water bottle made from recycled materials, a clothing item labeled as “organic,” or an electronic device marketed as “energy-efficient.”
- Describe to the class what words were being used, how they were displayed, etc.
- Evaluate what was said or designed well and any improvements suggested if any.
- In class, compare and contrast the selected products’ sustainability statements with similar products/websites that other students brought to share with the class. Assess how the statement differentiates the product and influences consumer perceptions whether in the market or the classroom.
| Lessons in This Book (A) | Students will Prove Comprehension by Writing and Presenting (B)… | Bring in something such as… |
| Introduction to Communicating Planetary Sustainability in Business Communication | Stories | Something that has a story on it, such as how the eco-friendly business got started, how it has changed since it began, etc. |
| Talking About the Climate: Why It Matters More Than Ever | Vision, Mission, and Values Statements | Something that has a vision, mission, or value statement on it related to planetary sustainability, such as a photo of a poster from a building |
| Proving Green Values with Credible Claims and Certified Proof
|
Announcements and Newsletters | Something that has an announcement on it such as an emailed newsletter about an eco-friendly initiative |
| Trash Talk: How Companies Address Waste | Waste Management Statements | Something that has a waste management statement such as an advertisement or online report |
| Visual Literacy for Environmental Messaging | Expressing Data Visually in Reports | A CSR report from the internet from a company of your choice |
| Speak to Inspire: Persuasive Strategies in Sustainability Messaging | Internal Memos, External Environmental Audits, Recommendations-Based Reports, and Other Ideas for Midterm Assignments and Presentations | Something with an example of pathos/logos/ethos, a tangible or intangible benefit, or a logical fallacy especially related to climate change or business sustainability. |
| “Fueling” the Conversation about Energy for Sustainable Business | Corporate Apologies for Environmental Disasters | A news story about an environmental disaster related to gas, oil, electricity, battery, etc. |
| Nourishing Narratives from Farm to Table | Press Releases and Public-Private-Partnerships | A food product with a green claim on it such as “regenerative” or “upcycled.” |
| Cristal-Clear Messaging about Water Use and Responsibility | Sponsorship Requests | A beverage or water product with a green claim on it such as “natural” or “pure.” |
| From Fast Fashion to Trustworthy Messaging in Textile Industries | Letters of Intent to Collaborate | A clothing or other textile product with a green claim on it such as “sustainable” or “recycled.” |
| Green Glamour or Toxic Trends? Unpacking Sustainability in Personal Care (Hair, Skin, and Makeup Products) | Pitches, Proposals, and Other Ideas for Final Projects and Presentations | A health or beauty product with a green claim on it such as “free from parabens” or “clean.” |
Weekly Assignment 2: Blog about a Product or Website Relevant to the Reading
Objective: Develop critical thinking and communication skills by analyzing and blogging about the sustainability efforts of a specific product or website.
Instructions:
- Choose a product, service, business, or nonprofit to represent. Pretend you are a blog writer for its website that features sustainability initiatives or claims relevant to the week’s topic. Examples include strengths of a company’s sustainability report, questioning eco-friendly products, or recommending various green business practices.
- Write a blog post of approximately 200-800 words each week.
- Keep it lively, engaging, and easy to skim through.
- Keep it relevant to the topic for the week. Explain in at least one sentence what makes this blog post relevant to the readings or discussion.
- Make sure the blog posts connect to each other such as by having hyperlinks to other articles and your main website to keep your audience on your page.
- Keep in mind that the more time your audience spends on your page and blog, the more likely they will trust you and hire you or buy your product.
- Ensure your blog posts build off of each other to strengthen your “brand.”
- Proofread so the post is free from errors in mechanics (spelling, punctuation, grammar), has clear organization, has unique information so your blog posts are not too similar to someone else’s, and is in your own voice so the posts do not all sound too similar (such as AI-generated).
- Share your blog post with the class such as on D2L, in small notebooks, and/or in short presentations. If online, comment on at least one other student’s blog post entry with 3-5 sentences agreeing, disagreeing, adding to, or reflecting on their post. You can engage in a discussion comparing your findings with those of your classmates or provide suggestions for improvement positively and constructively where necessary.
Weekly Assignment 3: Analyze a Publicly Announced Sustainability-Related Event
Objective: evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability campaigns in influencing public opinion and behavior.
Instructions:
- Share a recent sustainability campaign or news story by a company, NGO, or government entity relevant to the week’s reading. For example, an oil spill, train derailment, eco-friendly investment move, etc.
- Find a written statement describing the decision or situation. Summarize the message’s goals, strategies, and/or key messages.
- Analyze the effectiveness in terms of reach, engagement, word choice, visual appeal; the impact on the audience’s behavior, perception; and/or the impact on the organization’s reputation.
- Write 500-800 words on your story and share it with the class. Bring 3-5 questions to provoke discussion in class.
Weekly Assignment 4: Conduct an Interview
Objective: Enhance communication and research skills by conducting an interview with a sustainability expert.
Instructions:
- Identify and reach out to a professional in the field of sustainability (e.g., a sustainability officer, environmental consultant, academic researcher).
- Prepare a list of questions focusing on the week’s topic (e.g., certifications, food waste, fast fashion, etc.). Ask enough questions to have unique and interesting information to share with the class.
- Conduct the interview (in person, over the phone, over email or other instant messaging, or via video call).
- Write a 1000-word summary of the interview, highlighting key insights and how they relate to the week’s readings.
- Present a 3-5 minute summary of your most interesting and unique takeaways from the interview to the class.
Weekly Assignment 5, Extra Credit, or Makeup Opportunity: Reflecting on a Recent Experiential Learning Opportunity
Students may replace one short written assignment (with instructor approval) or earn up to 3 extra credit opportunities by participating in real-world events that connect to the course themes of climate change, business sustainability, and/or business communication. Each experience must be different and must be accompanied by a one-page, double-spaced written reflection (minimum 250 words). You must write in your own words/voice (not 100% AI-generated) and provide specific details for the experience to be considered.
Choose from the options below or email your instructor in advance for approval:
- Attend a Climate Change Group meeting or event.
- Attend a lecture, conference, panel, or webinar related to climate change, sustainable business, ESG, global communication, or responsible corporate leadership.
- Practice a business or sustainability-related presentation using a VR headset at the library.
- Make an appointment with the writing center, communication center, or business librarian to get feedback on your writing or research for a project in this course.
- Visit a local sustainability-focused business, nonprofit, farmer’s market, or recycling center and speak with someone about how they communicate their mission and practices.
- Attend a registered student organization (RSO) meeting focused on the environment, sustainability, or global business topics (e.g., Net Impact, Students for a Sustainable Earth, Global Business Club).
- Watch and reflect on a webinar or recorded professional or university-sponsored panel or talk (if unable to attend live) that relates to course themes, with prior approval.
Reflection Guidelines:
Your one-page reflection may address the following:
- When and where was the experience? Who hosted or led it?
- What did you learn, and how does it connect to what we’ve studied in this course?
- How has this changed or challenged your views on sustainability or business communication?
- What would you suggest to improve the event or resource?
- Would you recommend this opportunity to other students? Why or why not?
Reminders:
- Each experience must be unique (no repeats of previous work, not too similar to another student’s).
- Your writing must be in your own words and demonstrate critical thought and engagement.
- Submissions that are vague, off-topic, or copied will not receive credit.