I'm currently trying to make an activity where you type a small essay into a text area, and then send it in an email to be graded. Is this even possible, and if so, how would I go about doing it? If not, is there a possible workaround? Thanks in advance.  

Sounds more like a (quite small) PHP script to me.
But using http://www.ianr.unl.edu/internet/mailto.html you might succeed ...
The main problem then is how to add the contents of a variable (the typed text) to the link.
Besides, I think there is a limit on the length of a GET parameter (the body is such a parameter).  

OK, awesome! I'm starting to get on the right track then. Is there a way to actually call the contents of the variable into other functions, then? I've gotten it to work with the MSGBOX action, but in other situations, it just brings up the name of the variable...

PS: I just want to try it with short messages for the time being, just to make sure everything I can get to work works.  

For dealing with variables, see the manual. F.I. at Actions - If. Also see Actions - External URL

For using CL variables in javascript, see
http://www.courselab.com/db/cle/0078F26A99E48CBFC3257601004C6A81/main_id/DEB1AE8A7B1B3576C3256FCF0055974C/extended/1/sid//did//forum.html

 

Josh remember that if this is either delivered off of a CD OR off of a server then no e-mail client on the users PC means no mail.
If you're using a server based approach you could use a sendmail daemon just as you would in a web contact page, that would need an embeded web page in an iframe.
As with many requests for help this is asking for functionality that isn't readily available without an LMS, or maybe a hacked CMS, which is the best environment for Couselab material. Sometimes you'll get a workable solution other times not !