HSS202 - Society, Technology, and Environment Distance Learning Section
Fall Writing Assignments
Each assignment must be typed, double spaced and include a minimum of four to five pages. You must begin each essay by restating the topic that is the subject of your essay. This will help you to remain focused on the subject and insure that you respond to each requirement associated with the assignment.. You must also include the NJIT honor code statement with each assignment. Please refer to the course procedures for submitting writing assignments.
You can MUST include at least three legitimate internet sources beyond the ones included in the readings to support your work. These sources must be identifed, footnoted in the body of the essay and referenced in the bibliography. Completed assignments should be e-mailed to thompson@njit.edu. Please note the course id and assignment number and your last name in the subject line on your e-mail.
The essays are to be fully developed persuasive papers approximately five pages long. Each assignment must employ the source readings: each must employ documentation techniques following the format specified in The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers, 4th Edition. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. All references must follow APA requirements.
Fall Topics
| DUE September 8 Introduction Week #1 Essay #1 |
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Introduction Essay 1 75 Points Minimum Two Pages Identify one environmental problem caused by society and technology. Analyze the specific causes of that problem within society (attitude, behavior, organizational structure) and the processes you are aware of that have been undertaken to solve it (changes in technology, laws, education, cooperative efforts). Include discussion of your own participation in remedial actions and/or your suggestions for local or global solutions. Moodle Threaded Discussion 15pt Sign on and comment on the essay topic noted above. 5pt Comment on another student's comment
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Due September 15 Week #2 TOPIC: State of the Environment; Environmental Controversies White, L., “The historical roots of our ecological crisis”, Sources, p.18 Meadows, D., Randers, J., Meadows, D., “Limits to Growth, Sources, p.28 Vitousek, P.M., “Human Domination of Earth’s Ecosystems”, Sources, p.33 Moodle Threaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
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Due September 29 Week #3 Essay #2 75 Points 33pts Explain what Carson was referring to when she wrote: "For time is the essential ingredient; but in the modern world there is no time. 33ptsExplain what Carson means by: "The other fork in the road-the one less traveled by-offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination. Discuss the lifestyle and cultural changes associated with this other path. 33pts Relate Steingraber's views with Carson's choice above "the other Fork" and include your opinions and evaluation. TOPIC: Origins of Environmentalism:Carson, “Silent Spring,” Identify independent sources Steingraber, S. "Living Downstream-An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment (Available on Moodle class site). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment while expressing your personal opinion on this topic
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Due October 4 Week #4TOPIC: Local Environmental ControversiesPaigen, B., “Controversy at Love Canal”, Sources, p. 106-112 Sucato, K. 2001. What’s Wrong in Tom’s River?” The New York Times, December 16, Section 14NJ, pp. 1 Bradway, B. 2002. “Ill Winds: The Chemical Plant Next Door,” E Magazine, September October:34-39 (Available on Moodle class site). Knopper, M. 2004. “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” E Magazine, September/October:27-35 (Available on WebCt). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment while expressing your personal opinion on this topic
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Due October 13 Week #5-6 Essay 3 100 Points 60 pts Summarize and compare the selections by Muir, Pinchot & Leopold, three premier American Environmentalists. Include a review and evaluation of the the environmental philosophies of Preservation and Conservation along with the positions advocated by each man. 40 pts. Evaluate and explain your opinions regarding each individual
TOPIC: What’s Wrong with “Wilderness?”; Environmental Radicalism View the video "The Wilderness Idea March, G, "Man & Nature", Sources, P. 1 Muir, J., “The Mountains of California”, Sources, p.5 Pinchot, C., “The Fight for Conservation”, Sources, p.8 Leopold, A., “A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There”, Sources, p.10
MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
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Due October 20 Week #7-8 Essay #4 100 Points 50 pts Review The Tragedy of the Commons identifying the major points along with your reaction/opinion to each one. Include references to the articles listed below and prior reading assignments. 50 Pts Discuss why Hardin's views lead to the position he has taken leading to opposition to providing food to the starving people of the world. Discuss why you personally either oppose or support this position. TOPIC: Population IssuesEhrlich, P.R. “ The Population Explosion:”, Sources, p.183 Hardin, G., “The Tragedy of Commons”, Sources, p. 39 Hartman, B. “Reproductive rights and wrongs”. Sources, page 189 Simon, Julian, “The ultimate resource”, Identify independent sources Cohen, J. “How many people can the earth support?”, Sources, p. 193Asher, W. 2000. “Understanding Why Governments in Developing Countries Waste Natural Resources,” Environment 42(2):8-18 (Available on WebCt).
MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment
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Due November 3 Week #9 TOPIC: Global Environmental Controversies Benedick, R.E., “Ozone Diplomacy: New Directions in Safeguarding the Planet”, Sources, p. 119 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Sources, p.127 IPCC Report: http://www.ipcc.ch/pub/reports.htm Skolnikoff, E. 1999. “The Role of Science in Policy: The Climate Change Debate in the United States, ”Environment 41(5):16-20, 42-45 (Available on WebCt). Kates, R. and T. Wilbanks. 2003. “Making the Global Local: Responding to Climate Change Concerns from the Ground Up,” Environment 45(3):12-23 (Available on WebCt). McCarthy, J. and M. McKenna. 2000. “How Earth’s Ice is Changing,” Environment, 42(10):8-18 (Available on WebCt). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
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Due November 10 Week #10 Essay #5 Critically review and report on each reading assignment and address the following questions: 1. Can the family farm address the growing demand for increased food production in advanced and developing nations? 2. Is the “Green Revolution” an effective solution to the challenge of feeding a growing world population? 3. Does the extend of environmental damage along with population growth preclude ever developing the resources necessary to adequately feed the world’s population. You must cite specific references to the reading assignments in your answers. TOPIC: The Politics of Food, Nutrition and the Environment Berry, W. “The unsettling of America: culture and agriculture”, Sources, p. 137 Brown, L. “Food Scarcity: An environmental wake-up call”, Sources, p. 141 Conway, G. 2000. “Food for All in the 21st Century,” Environment, 42(1):9-18 (Available on WebCt). Hosansky, D. 2002. “Food Safety: Is Our Food Supply as Safe as it Could Be?” CQ Reseacher (Available on WebCt). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
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Due November 17 Week #11 Essay #6 100 Points Review the history of environmental pollution depicted in the articles below and critically examine the premise that poor and minority communities have been disproportionately affected by pollution. Carefully consider economic, social, political and racial factors in your essay. TOPIC: Environmental and Social Justice Bullard, R.D. “Dumping in Dixie”, Sources, p. 172 Cooper, M. 1998. “Environmental Justice: Does the Movement Help Poor Communities,” CQ Researcher (Available on Moodle class site). Mohai, P. 2003. “Dispelling Old Myths: African American Concern for the Environment,” Environment 45(5):10-26 (Available on Moodle class site). Motavalli, J. 1998. “Dr. Robert Bullard: Some People Don’t Have ‘The Complexion for Protection,” E Magazine, July/August (Available on Moodle class site). Livesey, S. 2003. “Organizing and Leading the Grassroots: An Interview with Lois Gibbs,” Organization and Environment,” (Available on Moodle class site). WebCT Threaded Discussion Comments Due 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
Due November 22 Week #12TOPIC: Consumption and the EnvironmentAbramovitz, J., “Putting a Value on Nature’s Free Services”, sources, p.175
Kates, W. 2000. “Population and Consumption: What We Know, What We Need to Know,” Environment 42(3):10-19 (Available on Moodle class site). Masci, D. 1999. “The Consumer Culture: Are Americans Being Too Materialistic,” CQ Researcher (Available on Moodle class site). Schor, J. 2000. “The New Politics of Consumption,” pp. 3-33 in J. Cohen and J. Rogers, eds., Do Americans Shop Too Much? Boston: Beacon Press (Available on Moodle class site). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on each topic and assignment. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
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Due December 1 Week #13 Essay #7 100 Points Discuss the present role, future and environmental challenges associated with Nuclear Power as a component of the US energy policy. Do you believe nuclear power can provide a safe and cost effective source of domestic energy? Discuss the role and future of "carbon" TOPIC: Energy PolicyLovins, A., “More Profit with Less Carbon”, Sources, p.65 Flavin, C., “Reinventing the Energy System”, Sources, p. 70 Farber, D. and J. Weeks. 2001. “A Graceful Exit? Decommissioning Nuclear Power Reactors,” Environment 43(6):8-21 (Available on Moodle class site). Wald, M. 2004. “A New Vision for Nuclear Waste,” Technology Review, December: 38-44 (Available on Moodle class site). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
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Due December 8 Week #14 TOPIC: Environmental Decision Making/Sustainable DevelopmentMeadows, Donella, et al. “From the limits to growth”, Sources, p. 48 World Commission on Environment and Development, “Our Common Future”, Sources, p. 198 Diamond, J., Collapse-How Societies Choose to Fail or Suceed" Sources, p. 213 MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
Due December 13 Week #15TOPIC: Biodiversity; BiotechnologyWilson, E., “The Current State of Biological Diversity”, Sources, p.86 Vandermeer, j., Perfecto, I., "Rethinking Rainforests": Sources, p.95 Shiva, V. “Women’s indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation”, Sources, p. 209 Rauch. J. 2003. “Will Frankenfood Save the Planet,” The Atlantic Monthly, October:103-108 (Available on Moodle class site). Hosansky, D. 2000. “Mass Extinction: Will Half the Earth’s Species Die Out this Century,” CQ Researcher (Available on Moodle class site). Jenkins, M., S. Scherr, and M. Inbar. 2004. “Markets for Biodiversity Services: Potential Roles and Challenges,” Environment 46(6):32-42 (Available on Moodle class site). MoodleThreaded Discussion 15pt Comment on the reading assignments and include your personal and original opinion on the assigned topic. 5pt Comment on another student's comment |
| Updated 8/31/11 2:25pm |