multiple+essay+questions

Answer all questions below, allocating your time so that all are as complete as possible in 90 minutes. When complete, email your answers to your section instructor.


 * 1) Identify at least twenty stakeholders in global climate change, briefly explaining how they contribute to and are likely to be affected in coming decades.


 * 1) Describe the ideological framework of two of the following people/organizations.

Michelle Bachmann—Steve Colbert -- Union of Concerned Scientists – Bernie Sanders—Donald Trump -- The Manhattan Institute – Greenpeace – Environmental Defense Fund – Ted Cruz – Heritage Foundation – Heartland Institute – American Civil Liberties Union


 * 1) Many Americans are skeptical about climate change and climate science. What do you think explains the skepticism? What do you think scientists and other educators should do to further enroll people in related issues?


 * 1) What in American culture and habits works against environmental sustainability? What about American culture could be leveraged to advance environmental sustainability?


 * 1) Identify ten developments (in education, law, media, etc.) that you think would help mobilize greater public commitment to environmental sustainability.


 * 1) Write two exam questions that creatively test (undergraduate) students’ analytic sophistication about environment and politics. Answer one of these questions.


 * 1) Describe (in a few sentences) what you think about climate change, and what evidence you have found most persuasive. List at least three questions that you still have about what is happening with the climate, weather, and climate politics. Also list at least three things that you hope will result from the Paris climate meetings.

It is not sufficient to provide correct information. You need to demonstrate your ability to // ENVIRONMENT AND POLITICS EXAM //

// fall 2012 //

Select ten questions from the list below and answer in essay form, in 400-600 words. Paste each question into your document before your response. It is not sufficient to provide correct information. You need to demonstrate your ability to provide sophisticated, well-supported explanations and arguments.

1) Describe and evaluate the way environmental and energy issues were addressed in the 2012 presidential campaign. See (and cite) sources such as these: [][][]

2) Describe the ideological framework of two of the following people/organizations. What is their position on climate change? What assumptions and arguments do they make about government, business and the market, science and religion? What kinds of knowledge do they draw on to support their positions? You can use material from Sourewatch, Wikipeda, New York Times, etc. in developing your descriptions. Michelle Bachmann-- Jon Stewart -- Union of Concerned Scientists -- Al Gore -- Ronald Bailey -- The Manhattan Institute – Sarah Palin – Greenpeace – Environmental Defense Fund

3) Many Americans are skeptical about climate change, and climate science. What do you think explains the skepticism? What do you think scientists should do to further enroll the public in concern about climate change? The articles listed below will provide material for your argument. Reference both articles in your answer. The Perception Factor: Climate Change Gets Personal. (Environmental Health Perspectives, 11/1/2010)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2974720/ NOTE: Link was broken, updated to actual article

Heroes wanted in climate science story (USA Today, 11/20/2010) []

4) Explain, from your point of view, what the US government should do to advance environmental protection. What should the US government not do? Together, your lists should include at least six items. Include concrete example to illustrate your points.

5) Describe a modern society that does not depend on personal cars. Where would people live and work? How would they get around? What would it take (in the built environment, politics, incentives, etc.) to make this society work? What would be the benefits beyond environmental benefits? What would be the challenges?

6) Describe the key message of // The Age of Stupid //, providing illustrative examples from the film, then evaluate its strategy and effectiveness as environmental media. Note that T// he Age of Stupid // will be screened in class after Thanksgiving.

7) Identify at least twenty stakeholders in global climate change, briefly explaining how they contribute to and are likely to be affected by climate change.

8) Identify ten developments (in education, law, media, etc.) that you think would help mobilize greater public awareness of and commitment to environmental sustainability.

Write two exam questions that creatively test (undergraduate) students’ analytic sophistication about environment and politics. Answer one of these questions.

Write a letter to the New York State Education Department arguing for the importance of curriculum that teaches k-12 students about environment and politics.

9) Describe Naomi Klein's arguments, and how she supports them in her December 2010 Ted Women Talk "Addicted to Risk." In the second part of the response, describe what aspects of Klein's talk you were persuaded by, and which you were not. []

10) Explain, from your point of view, what the US government should do to advance alternative energy. What should the US government // not // do? Together, your lists should include at least six items. Include concrete example to illustrate your points.

11) Re-design the U.S. food system so that it is less oil dependent. What would be the key features of the new system? What would be the advantages? What would be the challenges?

12) Outline a curriculum module that teaches middle school students about the controversy around nuclear power in the United States.

13) Outline a curriculum module that teaches middle school students about the controversy around natural gas and hydrofracking in the United States.

14) List and briefly describe the work of ten environmental advocacy organizations (like Greenpeace, and the Sierra Club). Conclude by describing which two organizations you would support with your time and money – explaining your selection.

15) What about American habits and culture works against environmental sustainability? What about American culture could be leveraged to advance environmental sustainability?

16) The following two websites address questions often raised about climate change. Identify the points that have most influenced your own thinking about climate change. Also list at least three questions that you still have about what is happening with the climate, weather, and climate politics. [][|http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2004/12/index/#Responses]

17) Design a film intended to educate a particular audience about environment and politics. Describe the audience you intend to reach (age, education, biases), the aim, narrative structure and content.

18) Write a 400-word biosketch that describes where you will be and what you will have accomplished twenty years from now. The biosketch should be narrative rather than resume style. Include basic biographical and educational information, the expertise you have built and have become known for, and a brief description of important projects you have been a part of over this period of time. For an example, see the Wikipedia entry for Paul Farmer ([]

. Answer one of the following:

A. Describe the ideological framework of two of the following people/organizations. What is their position on climate change? What assumptions and arguments do they make about government, business and the market, science and religion? What kinds of knowledge do they draw on to support their positions? You can use material from Sourewatch, Wikipeda, New York Times, etc in developing your descriptions.

Sarah Palin -- Jon Stewart -- Union of Concerned Scientists -- Al Gore -- Ronald Bailey -- The Manhattan Institute

B. There is considerable concern among scientists about the climate change skepticism evident in the recent U.S. elections. What do you think best explains the skepticism? What do you think scientists should do to further enroll the public in concern about climate change? The articles listed below will provide material for your argument. Reference at least two of these articles in your answer.

*The Perception Factor: Climate Change Gets Personal. (Environmental Health Perspectives, 11/1/2010)

[]

*Heroes wanted in climate science story (USA Today, 11/20/2010)

[]

II. Answer one of the following:

A. What is appropriate technology, and what three examples of appropriate technology do you find particularly compelling? Make sure to explain why the appropriate technologies you list are “appropriate,” what makes them work in the context where they have been developed, and why your find them compelling. Provide references for your sources of information.

B. What is social entrepreneurialism, and what three examples of social entrepreneurialism do you find particularly compelling? Make sure to explain why you are persuaded by the design of the projects you list. Provide references for your sources of information.

III. Evaluate the United States’ responsibility to address global climate change. Consider the United States’ contribution to the problem, other countries’ contributions, impacts in different countries and the different capabilities countries have to help solve the problem.

IV. Explain, from your point of view, what the US government should do to advance environmental protection. What should the US government not do? Together, your lists should include at least six items. Include concrete example to illustrate your points.

V. Design a modern society that does not depend on personal cars. Where would people live and work? How would they get around? What would it take (in the built environment, politics, incentives, etc) to make this society work? What would be the benefits beyond environmental benefits? What would be the challenges? In this essay, aim to demonstrate the project design skills you have developed in this course.

VI. Describe the key message of The Age of Stupid, providing illustrative examples from the film, then evaluate its strategy and effectiveness as environmental media.

Extra credit

Write a 400-word biosketch that describes where you will be and what you will have accomplished twenty years from now. The biosketch should be narrative rather than resume style. Include basic biographical and educational information, the expertise you have built and have become known for, and a brief description of important projects you have been a part of over this period of time. For an example, see the Wikipedia entry for Paul Farmer ([]

Sustainability Problems

Take Home Cumulative Exam (contributes 20% to your final grade) Fall 2010

Answer ten of the following questions in essay form, using 300-400 words for each response. A printed copy of your exam is due in class Tuesday, December 7.

1) Identify ways that globalization is a sustainability problem, referencing at least four examples from films you watched this semester.

2) Identify ways that corporations are a sustainability problem, referencing at least four examples from films you watched this semester.

3) Describe how U.S. law, in some instances, is a sustainability problem, referencing at least four examples from films you watched this semester.

4) Describe how science can be a sustainability problem, referencing at least four examples from films you watched this semester.

5) Describe ways that mainstream media is a sustainability problem, referencing at least four examples from films you watched this semester.

6) Identify key characteristics of the best environmental media (recognizing that few films or other media are likely to have more than a few of these characteristics). Reference examples from films we’ve seen this semester.

7). Write a letter to a university president arguing for the importance of the humanities, arts and social sciences in educating for sustainability. See this recent letter (published in Genome Biology) from Gregory Petsko (a biochemist at Brandeis) to George Phillip, President of SUNY (about recent cuts in the humanities at SUNY) for ideas ([]). Also see the class handout that we discussed at the start of the semester

http://sustainabilityproblems.wikispaces.com/humanities%2C+arts%2C+social+sciences+and+sustainability.

8). There is considerable concern among scientists about the climate change skepticism evident in the recent U.S. elections. What do you think best explains the skepticism? What do you think scientists should do to further enroll the public in concern about climate change? The articles listed below will provide material for your argument. Reference at least two of these articles in your answer.

*The Perception Factor: Climate Change Gets Personal. (Environmental Health Perspectives, 11/1/2010)

[]

*Heroes wanted in climate science story (USA Today, 11/20/2010)

[]

9) Evaluate the United States’ responsibility to address global climate change. Consider the United State’s contribution to the problem, other countries’ contributions, impacts in different countries and the different capabilities countries have to help solve the problem.

10) Explain, from your point of view, what the US government should do to advance environmental protection. What should the US government not do? Together, your lists should include at least six items. Include concrete example to illustrate your points.

11) Design a modern society that does not depend on personal cars. Where would people live and work? How would they get around? What would it take (in the built environment, politics, incentives, etc) to make this society work? What would be the benefits beyond environmental benefits? What would be the challenges?

12). Describe the key message of The Age of Stupid, providing illustrative examples from the film, then evaluate its strategy and effectiveness as environmental media.

13) Identify at least twenty stakeholders in global climate change, briefly explaining how they contribute to and are likely to be affected by climate change.

14) Identify ten developments (in education, law, media, etc) that you think would help mobilize greater public awareness of and commitment to environmental sustainability.

15) The hazards posed by Bisphenol-A have been researched and debated with great intensity in recent years. Imagine that you are teaching high school seniors about environmental controversies. How would you advise them to make sense of the controversy around Bisphenol-A? What questions would you encourage them to ask in analyzing all environmental controversies they encounter? In answering this question, you can draw on coverage in Environmental Health Perspectives, Nature, Science, etc., and on this portal to environmental health news: [].

16) Scientific research demonstrating a link between toxic chemicals and skewed sexual development has developed considerably in recent years. Describe how this could be effectively communicated. What audience would you target? What media form (film, website, radio show) you would use? What research studies would you highlight (see news coverage of some of this research below)? How would you represent the state of the science? What kind of environmental and scientific literacy would you aim to cultivate? What “go fix it” strategies would you suggest? In answering this question, you can draw on coverage in Environmental Health Perspectives, Nature, Science, etc., and on this portal to environmental health news: [].

17) Design a curriculum that teaches elementary students about the matrix of problems that threatens the environmental health of oceans.

18) Write two exam questions that creatively test students’ analytic sophistication about environmental sustainability. Answer one of these questions.

19). Write a 400-word biosketch that describes where you will be and what you will have accomplished twenty years from now. The biosketch should be narrative rather than resume style. Include basic biographical and educational information, the expertise you have built and have become known for, and a brief description of important projects you have been a part of over this period of time. For an example, see the Wikipedia entry for Paul Farmer ([]