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 demand
market analysis
product marketing
international trade
policy analysis
legal issues/regulation
resource 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; and
Encourage 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”