Assignment Theme:
For your first formal writing assignment I would like you to identify what you consider the most important threat to the environment and what are the solutions which would most effectively deal with this threat. In addition, I would like you to reflect on how Native Americans, as represented in Solar Storms would approach the problem.
Sources:
-- The Union of Concerned Scientists
-
Biodiversity
- The uses of energy
- The Ozone layer (CFC use)
- Air Pollution
- Rivers and Streams (Dams, fishing, pollution, etc.)
- Population pressure (food supplies, use of land, etc.)
- Global warming
- Other threats identified by scientists.
-- The View of Solar Storms and other Native Americans:
- The
relationship of the "human" and the "natural."
- Is "nature" alive or dead?
- Is "nature" sacred or secular?
- Responses of the community.
- Field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian (October
23). Obviously,
this will only be helpful for the final draft (see
deadlines below) or for subsequent drafts.
To complete the assignment you will need to:
Decide what you think is the major threat to the environment.
Research this threat and describe it for your reader.
Discuss what you think are the most reasonable solutions to this threat and how they would help to lessen or eliminate it.
Describe how the characters in Solar Storms would deal with this threat.
Describe what would be the basis of their response. Would they respond the same way as the Union of Concerned Scientists? If their response would either differ from or supplement that of scientists, how would you describe the difference?
Format of the paper:
The paper will be a minimum of 5 pages and a maximum of 7 pages.
The paper will be typewritten or word processed and will be double-spaced with normal margins. The font will be no more than 14 point.
Two drafts of the paper will be required. Additional drafts may be submitted at your own discretion.
Deadlines:
The first draft of the paper will be due on Thursday, October 14. Remember to provide one copy for the professor and one copy each for the members of your peer reading group. Retain one copy for yourself.
The peer groups will meet during class on Thursday, October 21 to discuss your paper. I will return my annotated copy at the end of this class.
The final draft of the paper will be due to the professor on Thursday, October 28.
Helpful Hints:
Produce the best first draft that you can. Although this draft will not be graded, it will make the final draft (which will be graded) much easier.
Pay attention to issues of grammar, spelling, syntax and sentence construction. The Hacker book should be consulted often.
Make use of the Writing Center at Siena from the beginning of your effort. They can help you to think through what you want to do and develop an outline of your paper.
Begin you research as soon as possible. Don't wait until the last moment to start on the paper. Last minute papers usually cost you a letter grade or more because of their poorer quality.
Cheating (submitting someone else's work) and plagiarism (not citing your sources) will lead to failure for the assignment and, quite possibly, for the course.
If anything about this assignment confuses you, consult the professor either in person or through e-mail. You may also raise questions in class.