Framework for Understanding the Topic and Cautions:

Framework for Understanding the Topic and Cautions:
Kolbert published The Sixth Extinction in 2014. Her assumption in the first five chapters is that in order to decide IF we’re in the sixth extinction, we need to understand what extinction is, how it happens, and the history of extinction. In other words, to make a judgment, we need information. From this opening context, she then points to various parts of our world that illustrate that things are out of whack, from warming sea temperatures to ocean acidification, and so on. You will need to understand the first five chapters. Note that Topic C asks you to also choose one chapter from 6-11 to focus on.
All of these questions are comparative. You will compare/contrast information in the book with newer information: what you decide to look at and the details of your assignment differ from paper topic to paper topic. You will use both analysis and comparison/contrast in this paper.
CAUTION FOR ALL TOPICS—while you might be discussing climate change, this is NOT a paper ON climate change. The paper/project discusses the change or updates or modifications in 1) scientific understandings about extinction since 2014 and 2) information in any one of her chapters, VI-XI. You do not need to agree with Kolbert, but you need to do more than write a paper about ocean warming and the death of coral. After all, Kolbert has already done that.
CHOOSE ONE TOPIC. You are encouraged to choose a creative option, if you like.
Topic A. For this paper, I want you to imagine you are talking to a friend about this book. Your friend comments that the book is “old,” and asks if her points are still valid? It’s a good question. In this paper, you will decide if her research is still valid, and you will add any relevant updates for your friend.
Possible creative options for A:
Write this as a dialogue
Video an actual discussion with a friend. Write an explanation of your points and support for them.
If you do a creative option, see “Base Requirements for ALL Submissions,” below.
Topic B. Choose a chapter and research if her research is still valid. Then update her information, if necessary, and apply it to a particular place or issue that affects you or people you know: for instance, does your family like to fish? Does your family work in agriculture? Does your family live inland, and has it become much hotter? How will climate change affect them? NOTE–especially when it comes to agriculture, the answer is complicated. You won’t find an easy yes or no. Take a look at this site for the balanced nature of its judgment about CO2 and agriculture: https://www.factcheck.org/2017/08/co2-friend-foe-agriculture/
(Links to an external site.)
Possible creative options for B:
Make a mini-documentary about how conditions have (not) changed and what can (not) be done about it.
Write an informative brochure for your target group that explains what’s happening, why, and what can/should be done. See example under the Week 3 Module.
If you do a creative option, see “Base Requirements for ALL Submissions,” below.
Topic C. Starting from Kolbert’s research, choose a specific chapter from 6 – 11, and research practical ideas to see if/what can be done to avoid or minimize the particular event you choose. Note that whatever you propose must be relevant to your larger region. For instance, don’t write about coral reefs if you’re sending a letter to Governor Newsom. Maybe take her info about coral reefs and decide if the effects of increased acidity on coral reefs are affecting CA waters. Or if you look at Chapter 8, are we seeing something similar in CA, and how might that be affecting us? Compare what has been done with what we can do now (note that this is the same idea as the previous two topics: you will be updating her information). For this option, please aim for strategies or solutions at the regional level. While I completely agree that our individual actions affect the planet, the goal for option C is to look regionally. For instance, what is California doing about climate change? Or, if you’re not from CA, what approach to climate change does your state or your country take?
Possible creative options for C:
Write a letter to an important person in your state (senator? governor?) and outline your focus of concern, your analysis of what should be done, and how/why to choose that approach. (Please note–you can do research to find out possible strategies and/or solutions).
Make a commercial “selling” the public on the problem and then on your solution for the region.
If you do a creative option, see “Base Requirements for ALL Submissions,” below.
These are just suggestions for creative options. You could make a podcast episode. And so on. I hope you choose one of these creative options. If you do, please drop me a quick note giving me an idea of your approach, and we can talk briefly about the elements that need to be in your creative option.
Base requirements for ALL submissions (see additional requirements for creative options and essays, below):
A substantial introduction that provides a context for your ideas.
A strong, clear thesis that explains the consequence of your idea and that addresses who should care about your idea.
Detailed use of multiple quotations from the Kolbert book and analysis of those quotations. Cite chapters and paragraph numbers if you do not have a hard copy of the text. You will need to count the paragraphs manually.
Use of at least 2 outside sources from the Luria Library database. These need to be reliable, science articles.
Use of at least 1 article from websites that are credible, using the credibility checks we explored in Week 8’s resources section. (You are welcome to use that info in this paper, if you like).
Use of at least 1 article or website that FAILS the credibility tests. You can use your crowdsourced research examples from your group for any of the required sources. Make sure you check their reliability.
To summarize the required sources:
Kolbert
2 Luria Library articles from the databases
1 credible website
1 false website
A conclusion that does not only repeat the thesis. Show the reader how important your ideas are. How/why do the ideas you discuss in your paper affect other issues?
Submit to Canvas as a PDF and Turnitin.
Additional Requirements for creative options A and B:
If you do creative option for topic A or B, please write an artist’s statement that explains why you chose the information you did, and that explains that information in terms of how/why you decided to do your particular creative topic. Explain what research you did to help you come up with your podcast information, for instance. How and why did you arrive at your position?
If you create a PowerPoint or use Google Slides, you could include this material within your presentation.
Additional Requirements for creative option C:
If you do option 3, you will need to place the artist’s statement information (see requirements for creative options 1 and 2, above) directly in your letter to convince the authority/ies of your position.
Additional Requirements for Essays :
Paragraphs that argue points—think of these as mini-theses that help convince people of your thesis.
Correct MLA in-text citation so your readers can follow along with your ideas.
A conclusion that does not only repeat the thesis—your ideas are important. How/why do the ideas you draw out in your paper affect other issues?
Your own ideas about Kolbert’s text and your own take on how and why these ideas are important. This can show up in the ideas themselves, the way you write, the way you decide to organize: your paper should be distinctively you.
1250-1500 words. (5-6 pages). Do not write for a word count: write to say what is important to you.
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