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Environmental and Sustainability Literature
Environmental and Sustainability Literature is a semester-long Senior Options English course. The purpose of this course will focus on literature that delves into various environmental issues such as environmental justice, factory farming, climate change, global access to clean water, the consumption of natural resources, and environmental health. The course will focus on early forms of nature writing from H.D. Thoreau, Walt Whitman, and John Muir through the 20th Century environmentalist pieces from writers such as Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, and Edward Abbey, and will include modern activists, and current millennial writers. Through the study of a wide variety of texts we will attempt to confront the most pressing global issues intertwining food, water, energy, economics, and social class as a means of understanding what environmentalism, activism, and sustainability actually means. Students will be encouraged to find their own voices as they explore the most pressing issues facing their generation.
You must have your textbooks and Chromebook with you every day.
Texts
American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau, edited by Bill McKibben
Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer
Coming of Age at the End Of Nature: A Generation Faces Living on a Changed Planet, edited by Julie Dunlap and Susan A. Cohen
Selected and supplemental readings on an updated basis.
Documentaries to include (but not limited to):
180 Degrees South
The Biggest Little Farm
Sand Wars
Plastic Planet
Unit 1: What is Environmentalism, Activism, and Sustainability?
Unit 1 is an introduction to the history of environmentalism. Students will make connections between the past environmental movements to current issues involving sustainability. Students will assess the impacts environmental activists have had globally in an effort to discover their own connections to environmentalism.
Week 1: What is environmentalism to you?
August 8: 1st day of class.
In class: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability and Global climate crisis hits home in the U.S. amid record heat and pervasive wildfires
August 9:
Due:
Key takeaways from the UN report on the climate crisis
In class:
Warm-Up #1: What were some specific takeaways from last night's readings that stood out to you?
What do you care about? Why? What do you do about it?
Watch: Prince Ea "Fun Fact"
Greta Thunberg’s TED Talk Greta TED Talk and address to The United Nations Greta UN.
August 11:
Below assignment due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
Read: Coming of Age at the End of Nature -- Introduction, pgs. xi-xvii
Coming of Age at the End of Nature -- "Post-Nature Writing," pgs. 3-11.
Watch: Ryan Camero, Brower Youth Awards 2015
Answer: What does "Nature" mean to you? Explain with examples. Reference the readings.
In class:
Warm-Up #2: What defines Gen Z? What are your generation's habits, concerns, pursuits, worries, hopes, etc.?
Watch: Gen Z and climate change
Which side of the ridge would you have shown the tourists? Explain why.
Week 2: Seeing Nature
August 15:
Read: Coming of Age at the End of Nature -- "Winter Solstice"
Answer: Relate the article to a place you love and explain why.
Due: To Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
Watch: Victor Davila, 2011 Brower Youth Award Winner
Warm-Up #3: Take a short walk outside to admire the beauty. What did you see? Explain what you thought or felt?
Read: Microplastics in autopsies.
Watch: IPCC sounds alarm on climate change and UN's landmark climate report delivers starkest warning on climate change
Respond to what you read and saw. Submit to turnitin.com
August 17:
American Earth – “Introduction” pgs. xxi-xxxi
American Earth – Thoreau, “from Walden” pgs. 15-22
American Earth – Thoreau, “from Huckleberries” pgs. 26-36
Due: To Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
Pick one passage (quote) from each reading and comment on it. Do you agree or disagree? Why? What did it make you think about?
In class:
Warm-Up #4 + Video: What are your most fond memories interacting on a regular basis with nature from your childhood?
Watch: POLITICAL THEORY - Henry David Thoreau.
Nature is Everywhere TED Talk. Answer: How do the messages in this video relate to the readings from Thoreau? Do you agree? Explain.
Week 3: Waste and Warning
August 21: American Earth – Hornaday, “The Bird Tragedy on Laysan Island” pgs.181-185
Coming of Age at the End of Nature -- "But I'll still Be Here," pgs. 54-62
Watch: Prince Ea "Sorry"
Due: To Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
Explain the common theme of all three pieces.
In class:
Watch: Chasing Coral
August 23: American Earth – Whitman, “from Leaves of Grass” pgs. 62- 64
American Earth – Guthrie, “This Land is Your Land” pgs. 258-259
Warm-Up #5: When do you feel as if you have been betrayed by messaging from the "adult world"? Explain how you felt.
I
Aug. 25: American Earth – Leopold, “from A Sand County Almanac” pgs. 265-294
In class:
In class essay: Responding to the 3 quotes below, relate the two poems and the video to your own thoughts.
"Something startles me where I thought I was safest: Walt Whitman
" This land is your land, this land is my land" Woodie Guthrie
" I'm sure there's something better I could be doing with my life." Richard Vevers
You may use your book and your viewing guide from Chasing Coral.
Suggested Outline:
- Introduction
- ICD
- Topic
- Thesis
- Walt Whitman Analysis
- Personal Reaction/Relation to Whitman’s message
- Woodie Guthrie Analysis
- Personal Reaction/Relation to Guthrie’s’s message
- Richard Vevers (Chasing Coral) Analysis
- Personal Reaction/Relation to Vevers’s message
- Conclusion
Watch:How Trees Talk to Each Other
Answer: How does the research of Suzanne Simard relate to the Land Ethics writings of Aldo Leopold? Submit to Turnitin.com.
Week 4: Roots of Modern Environmentalism
Aug. 29: American Earth – Carson, “from Silent Spring” pgs. 366-376
“We Are the Fossil-Fuel Fighters” (from Coming of Age at the End of Nature)
In class:
Warm-Up #6:
Watch:How Trees Talk to Each Other
Answer: How does the research of Suzanne Simard relate to the Land Ethics writings of Aldo Leopold? Submit to Turnitin.com.
Watch TEDEd: Rachel Carson, Shots of Awe: The Solutions Project, and Stephen O'Hanlon, Brower Youth Awards 2018
Answer: Based on your readings so far, what is your response to these three videos and the power of the individual? Submit to Turnitin.com.
Watch:
Toxic waste dump site more than twice the size of Manhattan discovered in Pacific Ocean
Aerial Malathion Spraying to Begin in Camarillo Area
Report: 32 million pounds of toxic pesticides sprayed on Ventura County fields from 2015 to 2020
Strawberries, spinach and kale top "dirty dozen" list
Death toll in Pakistan passes 1,110 as monsoon floods reach historic levels
Greenland ice melt will raise sea levels by nearly a foot, study says
August 31: Choose 2 individuals from 20 Years of Teen Activists that really intrigued or interested you. Give a brief summary of each individual's actions and explain why they stood out to you. Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class: Warm up #7:
Watch Bill McKibben: The New Climate Change Battle Respond to the video and relate it to what we have discussed so far. What are your thoughts?
Watch Inside the secret shipping industry, Shipping Company Maersk Announces Carbon Neutral Plan and Maersk accelerates fleet decarbonisation mission
Week 5: Is Environmentalism Inclusive?
Sept. 5: Watch Valeree Catangay, Brower Youth Awards 2018
Read either How Decades of Racist Housing Policy Left Neighborhoods Sweltering or Racist housing policies have created some oppressively hot neighborhoods
“Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors” (from Coming of Age at the End of Nature)
Answer: What are some issues concerning inclusiveness when it comes to environmentalism? Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class:
Warm-Up #8: What is your plan for next year? Explain.
Watch Black Girls Surf.
Respond to the video as it relates to “Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors.”
Read the following three articles:
'Like I wasn't there': climate activist Vanessa Nakate on being erased from a movement
The erasure of Vanessa Nakate portrays an idealised climate activism
American environmentalism’s racist roots have shaped global thinking about conservation
Meet the young people of colour fighting for our planet
Respond to the articles as they relate to “Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors.”
Watch the following two videos:
How Urban Heat Impacts Communities of Color
Wangari Maathai & The Green Belt Movement
I will be a hummingbird - Wangari Maathai
What are your reactions/thoughts? Submit to Turnitin.com
Sept. 7: Read:
“The Thoreau Problem” (American Earth – Solnit, pgs. 971-974)
“Sunset at Mile-16” (from Coming of Age at the End of Nature)
Climate change affects rich and poor unequally
Watch the following three videos
What Is Environmental Justice?
We See You: Environmental Leaders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Neighborhood pollution contributing to higher asthma rates among Black Americans
Answer: How are social, economic, and racial issues tied up in environmentalism? Cite specifics from the readings and videos. Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class: Listen to the 2 following podcasts: Young Latino voters want a focus on climate change and How Indigenous land rights could help save the Brazilian Amazon from deforestation and and Dear Parents, do You Love Your Kids... and Anointed by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Answer: Based on on what you now know about Environmental Justice and the concept of inclusiveness, respond to the articles, videos, and podcasts . Submit to turnitin.com.
More from Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner
Monday, September 11: In class: Warm-Up #9: Discuss your food history/culture.
Essay Exam: Due to Turnitin.com by 8: a.m., Wednesday, September 13:
Take a long walk or hike. Go with someone else or alone (be safe). Observe the environment around you. Think about your place and your role in the environmental community. What are the issues that come to mind? Discuss the socio-economic issues faced in environmental and sustainability activism. Cite the pieces we have read as well as any outside sources. You may use your texts and notes. 1200-1500 words.
Unit 2: The Ramifications of What We Eat
In Unit 2, students will explore the impacts food has on society, culture, and the environment. Students will be forced to examine their dietary habits and assess the environmental, economic, and ethical choices they are making at every meal.
Week 6: The Culture of Food?
September 12:
In class:
Watch: The four fish we're overeating -- and what to eat instead
Why I am a part-time vegetarian
Ending the battle between vegans, vegetarians, and everyone else
Food Deserts in D.C. | Let's Talk | NPR
Trying to Eat Healthy in a Food Desert
A guerilla gardener in South Central LA
Answer: Discuss the various environmental justice issues concerning what we eat. Submit to Turnitin.com
September 14: Eating Animals, “Storytelling” and “All or Nothing or Something Else” pgs. 3-41.
Week 7: Food Economics
September 19: Eating Animals, “Words/Meaning” pgs. 43-77.
Warm-Up #10: Which definitions from last night's reading stood out to you? Why?
In class: Watch Food Inc. *WARNING* Although this documentary is rated PG, there are some very disturbing images from factory farms and slaughterhouses.
September 21: Eating Animals, “Hiding/Seeking” pgs. 78-115.
Begin The Biggest Little Farm
Week 8: Food Choices
September 26: Eating Animals, “Influence/Speechlessness” pgs. 123-148.
In class: Finish Food Inc.
Sept. 28: Eating Animals, “Slices of Paradise/Pieces of Sh**” pgs. 149-199
In class: Watch The Biggest Little Farm
Week 9:
Oct. 2:Eating Animals, “I Do” pgs. 201-244.
Warm-Up #11: Where do you stand? With animal "rights," animal "welfare," or neither? Why? Explain your stance.
In class:
Watch: Meat Without Animals: The Future Of Food
Vertical ocean farming - the least deadliest catch
Reviving New York's rivers -- with oysters!
Based on the videos, how can changing agricultural practices become environmental activism? What can you do?
October 4: Eating Animals, “Storytelling” pgs. 245-270
Warm-Up #12: What did you think of the book? What were some standout points for you?
Watch: Customers beefing with Cracker Barrell over plant-based sausage and Cracker Barrel fans are offended by launch of plant-based sausage
October 6:
In class:
Watch: Watch: King Corn Take notes on the provided viewing template. Due at the end of the period.
Week 10:
October 10:
Essay Exam (In class): Discuss the rhetorical devices employed in Eating Animals and assess the validity of the author’s arguments. Then, connect the text to the videos, and class discussions we have had while studying Eating Animals. What impact, if any, did this unit have on you personally? Have you (and your family) made any lifestyle changes? Explain.
Unit 3: Consumerism and its Environmental Impact
In unit 3, students will examine how the production and consumption of consumer goods impact the environment. Students will confront the concept of “the real cost” of the goods and services they consume. Students will self-reflect on the their own practices and research how to reduce their individual environmental impact.
October 11: In class: Watch:
The real problem with GMO Food
Food Waste causes Climate Change.
Takeout creates a lot of trash. It doesn't have to.
Neuromarketing: How brands are getting your brain to buy more stuff
Week 11: What We See and What We Don’t
October 16:
In class: Watch:
Woodsy Owl 1977 TV public service announcement
This book came out in 1971 when Mr. Kinberg was in preschool. Did you read it when you were little? Does it hold up? Is it still relevant? What are your thoughts?
Watch:
The History of Stuff What did you think? What stood out to you?
TED Talk: Why I live a zero waste life. After the video, think about your kitchen, trash, cupboards, fridge, and freezer. Connect the video to your current lifestyle. What are your thoughts?
Two adults, two kids, zero waste
How I failed at zero waste | TED Talk
Do you try to make lifestyle changes when you learn of your own destructive habits? Why or why not? Give examples.
October 18:
In class: Watch
Warm-Up #13: Watch The Story of Plastic, The Real Cost of Bottled Water, and Coke Knew Their Plastic Would Trash the Planet…And Did It Anyway What do you think "real cost" actually means?
In Class: Watch The life cycle of a t-shirt, The clothes we wear, and The Story of Change. Considering your own shopping habits, respond to the four videos. Submit to turnitin.com.
Begin: The True Cost
October 20:
Watch:
Watch United Nations: Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times,
Answer: What were the most stunning or eye-opening aspects of the short film? Why did the filmmaker use celebrities to transmit the message? Do you think this is a successful strategy? Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 (300-500 words).
Then click on each of the U.N. Sustainable Global Goals.U.N. Sustainable Goals
In class: Quiz on UN Sustainable Goals
Watch: Climate Change - The Facts Can We Cool the Planet? (Nova)
Answer: What are the biggest concerns discussed in the film? What stood out to you? What was surprising? Submit to Turnitin.com
In class:
Week 12: Mindless Harm
October 24:
Watch: Explained | World's Water Crisis and Not enough water to go around: Colorado River Basin, ravaged by drought, plans for a drier future Answer: Discuss your thoughts on how natural resources are allocated and exploited.
Watch The Story of Cosmetics, The Story of Electronics, The Story of Microfibers, and The Story of Microbeads. What did you not realize about the products from our everyday lives?
Both questions are due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class: Begin Sand Wars
October 26:
American Earth – Walker, “Everything Is a Human Being” pgs. 659-670
What are the problems caused by the Wasichu as described by Walker? Relate what Alice Walker says to your own experience in the world.(300-500 words). Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class:
Warm-Up #14: Are you more moved to action by emotional/spiritual connection to an issue or by economic/scientific knowledge of an issue? Explain.
Week 13: Unintended Consequences
October 30:
American Earth – Leslie Marmon Silkon, "from Ceremony” pgs. 582-589
Compare and contrast how the issues of land ownership/stewardship/exploitation and the conflict between indigenous people and white settlers that are brought up in "Ceremony" with "Everything is Human." Which piece (or both or neither) do you agree with most? Why? (300-500 words). Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class:
watch Why Indigenous forest guardianship is crucial to climate action
3000-year-old solutions to modern problems | Lyla June
Respond to the video and connect it to the readings.
Tell Them by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Respond to the video and connect it to the readings.
November 1:
Read: American Earth – McKibben, “from The End of Nature” pgs. 718-724
Answer: Why does Bill McKibben say "There is no such thing as nature anymore"? How does this create his extreme loneliness? (330-500 words). Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class watch The Silence of the Bees or The Silence of the Bees
‘Mystery of the Missing Bees’ Looks Back at Colony Collapse Disorder
11th Annual Ventura County Farm Day
November 3:
Read: American Earth – Durning, “The Dubious Rewards of Consumption” pgs. 770-780
Answer: How does this article relate to the Story of Stuff videos we have been watching? Roughly 300-500 words. Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class:
Warm-Up #15: Watch What Happens When You Only Pursue Pleasure - Alan Watts
Respond to the video. What do you think? Relate what Alan Watts has to say with last night's reading.
Attenborough tells COP26 conference delegates: 'The world is looking to you'
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability
Week 14: Environmentalism or Capitalism?
November 7:
Read American Earth –Abbey, “Polemic: Industrial Tourism and The National Parks” pgs. 413-433
Answer: What does Abbey say are the major problems with industrial tourism? What are his "solutions"? Do you agree with his arguments? What would be some of your solutions? (300-500 words) Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 am.
In class: Warm-Up #16: Have you ever been camping ("Glamping, RV/Camper, Car Camping, Tent, Backpacking)? Do you go regularly (at least every couple of years or more)? If so, what are your favorite or least favorite aspects of camping? If not, why not? What do you think you are missing out on?
In class, watch Has Instagram Ruined Nature?
How America's National Parks Became Critically Crowded With Tourists,
What happens when nature goes viral?
Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, other national parks overwhelmed by Insta-crowds
Answer: How do these videos document Edward Abbey's greatest nightmare? Give a couple of quotes from Abbey and support them with evidence from the videos. Submit to Turnitin.com.
November 9: Read, "My Present is Not Your Tombstone" in Coming of Age at the End of Nature (pgs.98-111)
Answer: How does this piece relate to Edward Abbey's piece on Industrial Tourism? (350+/- words). Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class, watch Plastic Wars| FRONTLINE
Week 15: What Do We Really Need?
November 14:
Read "Diseases of Affluence" by Ben Cromwell in Coming of Age at the End of Nature (pgs.133-144).
Answer: What "club" are you a part of and what are all the things you "need" to be "an active member"? How does this relate to the Cromwell article? Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class, watch After the Harvest: Fighting Hunger in the Coffeelands
The perfect coffee – fair trade and sustainable
Coffee: The future of coffee growing and production
The Story of Chocolate: Unwrapping the Bar
Playing Fair - The story of Fairtrade footballs
Fair Trade: A Just World Starts with You
Superfoods – is healthy eating just hype?
November 16:
Read: Braiding Sweetgrass (The "Skywoman Falling" section, pages 1-10)
Answer: According to the author, what do our creation stories have to do with our attitudes to the land? Do you agree or disagree? Why? Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m. (300+/- words).
In class: Warm-Up #17:
watch:
The (R)Evolution of Indigenous Foods.
Coping with climate change: Advice for kids — from kids
Plastic Pollution Coalition - OPEN YOUR EYES
Soil Solutions to Climate Problems - Narrated by Michael Pollan
Freedge Movement (NPR podcast 4 min)
Accelerating Coastal Community-Led Conservation
December 1: Unit Final Essay due by 8:00 a.m.
Prompt: Visit a local grocery store or big box store (for example: Costco, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Lowe's). Take notes on the variety of products, where they are from, the packaging, the advertising, and the prices. Take particular notice of the people shopping. What are they loading up on? Do they look at the ingredients, prices, buy in bulk or single use, or anything else you can notice. After everything we have studied about consumerism and its impact on our environment, what are your thoughts? Choose something within all of this to research the environmental impact of whatever it is that topic or issue you chose. What are your thoughts on this experience? Cite your sources. 1500-2000 words.
In class: Watch Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.
Introduce Global Citizen.
Week 16: THANKSGIVING BREAK
Over the break, check out the Global Citizen website. Find issues you care about. Read some articles. Sign some petitions. Send out some tweets. Share some messages. This is a great place to start getting involved in issues that matter to you.
Visit the World Wildlife Fund International Youtube page and explore some of the videos:
Unit 4: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
Unit 4 is all about activism. Based on the readings, viewings, research, and discussions, students will be able to contextualize their own practices and habits and create viable possibilities for environmental activism on a practical and local level.
Week 17: Keeping it Local
Nov. 27: Present your research topic to the class.
Warm Up #18: Describe your research topic.
Nov. 29:
Read, Thirteen ways of Seeing Nature in LA: Part I or Thirteen Ways of Seeing Nature in L.A. (pts. I & II)
Take notes on each section.
In class: Watch The River Under the City of Angels
From Farm to Freeway | LA Foodways
Unchartered: Los Angeles River
Dec. 1: RESEARCH PAPER DUE BY 8:00 A.M.
Read, Thirteen ways of Seeing Nature in LA: Part II
In class: LA's mountain lions on the brink | P22 – The Cat That Change America Urban Nature-based Solutions Construction on wildlife crossing in Agoura Hills underway and Cities That Are Saving The Planet
Warm-Up #17: Pick one of the thirteen categories to describe your neighborhood in a way no one else sees it.
In class, watch The Urban Green AND Can Los Angeles Be Sustainable? Answer, based on the videos, how can you make a difference? Be specific. Submit to Turnitin.com.
Friends of the LA River Check out how you can get involved.
Week 18: What Does “Local” Actually Mean?
Dec. 5: Coplen, “Tamale Traditions: Cultivating an Understanding of Humans and Non-human Nature Through Food” (from Coming of Age at the End of Nature)
Discuss the environmental justice issues explored in this piece. Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class: Go to Global Citizen. Read several articles (at least 4). Take at least 5 actions (not mandatory). Answer: What did you learn from the articles you chose? Why did you choose to take action on those particular issues and what actions did you take? Submit to Turnitin.com
Dec. 7: Schosid, “Could Mopping Save the World? How Day-to-Day Chores Can Bring Big Changes” (from Coming of Age at the End of Nature)
American Earth – Chavez, “The Wrath of Grapes Boycott Speech” 690-695
Discuss the importance of symbolic acts as presented in each piece. How can symbolic actions become meaningful acts of change? Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
Warm-Up #19: Watch: Cesar Chavez: American Civil Rights Activist
How Dolores Huerta Continues to Inspire Immigration Activists
Farmworkers Push On Despite Lack Of Benefits.
The race to build affordable housing for farmworkers in Oxnard
California's Burning, and Farmworkers Are Still in the Fields
Respond to the plight of the California farm worker. How does this impact you?
Week 19: Has This Semester Been Worthwhile?
Dec. 11: Read "True to Our Nature" (Coming of Age at the End of Nature). Write a similar letter to your kids, your future self, or the future generation. Due to Turninin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class, watch Steer With your Heart. and Catch It Respond to the philosophies expressed in these videos. Submit to Turnitin.com
Dec. 13: Watch Unbroken Ground | A New Old Way to Grow Food. How can you look to traditional ways as a way to move forward in environmentalism? Submit to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m.
In class:
Warm-Up #20: Watch Youth Activism: Activating Your Voice What pursuits are you passionate about? How can you use your interests to better your community, your environment, and our world?
Watch PBS NOVA:Can We Cool the Planet?
In class: Course Feedback for Environmental and Sustainability Literature. Please answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1) Did the course meet your expectations? Explain.
2) Were the readings and videos interesting, informative, and thought provoking? Give some examples.
3) Did the readings and videos give ample voice to underserved communities and people of diverse communities? If so, what did you learn? If not, how would you improve this?
4) Do you feel as if you were allowed to voice your ideas in a welcoming and respectful environment? Explain.
5) Were the assignments interesting? Explain with examples.
6) What were your favorite parts of the course?
7) What would you do to improve the course?
Dec. 15:
In class: Watch 180 Degrees South.
Wasted! The story of Food Waste
Week 20
Dec. 19/20: In class final.
Week 20:
Week 20: Finals
Final Projects Due Students will pick one specific local environmental issue that is important to them. They will research the issue and advocate for what we as individuals can do to help alleviate the issue. 800-1000 words.
American Earth – Dillard, “Fecundity” pgs. 531-549
Final Presentations
Students will have 5-7 minutes to present their findings to the class in an effort to mobilize their peers to action.
Each unit will have an independent research component, reading quizzes, and an essay exam.
Climate Change The Facts
Warm-Up Questions Weeks 1, 2, & 3
- What does “nature” mean to you?
- What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
- Is travel important to you? Why or why not?
- How do you feel about pets?
- What’s more important to you? The economy or the environment? Why?
- What should you give up to be environmentally friendly but you won’t? Why?
Corporate banana 2:21 2:21 -3:31
Students will choose a group and will be assigned one of the following topics: Eco-Tourism, Fashion, Electronic Devices, Travel, On-Line Shopping, Gold and Diamonds, Coffee and Chocolate. Each member of the group will choose a specific issue related to their topic to research and prepare a 4 minute presentation with visual aids.. StudentS will EACH hand in a 500-700 word abstract of their research and include a works cited page.
Warm-Up #15: Watch Why Are We So Unhappy? and Practice Gratitude, Learn To Say Thank You. Respond to the two videos.
In class watch Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness - Epicurus on Happiness. How does this video relate to the Durning article and the Shots of Awe videos? Do you agree/disagree? Why? How does this all relate to your own life?
Submit to Turnitin.com
Read through National Geographic: A running list of how President Trump is changing environmental policy
Final Responses (Short answers)
1. Discus how you understand the following topics (give specific examples):
a) defining nature
b) environmentalism
c) sustainability
d) activism
e) consumerism
f) environmental justice
2. Which unit had the biggest impact on you? Explain.
3. Which readings had the biggest impact on you? Explain.
4. Which videos had the biggest impact on you? Explain.
5. Will this course have any lasting impact on you as an environmentalist? Explain.
6. What environmental topics were not covered that you would like to learn more about?
Answer: Compare the storytelling strategies of The Biggest Little Farm with Eating Animals. How do they both use science and research mixed with personal experience to convey their messages? Give specific examples. 800-1000 words. Due to Turnitin.com by 8:00 a.m. on September 30.
Research paper explained.
Choose any topic related to global factory farming and explore its environmental impact. You must have at least 5 sources. 1200-1500 words.
Why did you choose this topic? Why do you care about this specific topic?
Suggestions:
Choose a specific corporation, industry, animal, or region.
Focus on a specific region, state, or country.
Think either local or global.
Choose a specific aspect such as packaging, marketing/advertising, impacts of fast food, or changing diet trends.
Choose significant environmental issues: water usage, water pollution, deforestation, monocrops, deforestation, methane gas, species eradication, impacts on the ocean.
Ethical issues.
Health issues.
Legislation.
