Final Exam Essays Fall 2021Global Environment I

 

General comments and instructions 

For each of the three essays, make sure to use content from the class readings, lecture, lab, or field trips in as specific a manner as possible. We will be closely evaluating how the examplesyou provide agree with the componentsof the questions and the context of your essays. 

You are required to cite the content you are referencing in your essays regardless of if they are from the class or from an outside source.  You may choose any format you wish for the citation and bibliography (e.g., AMA, Chicago Style, etc) as long as it is used consistently within an essay. This reference section /bibliography does not count towards the word limit. Also, references to class materials need to be included in the citations but are not necessary in the bibliography.  You should reference class materials like this (lecture 10/17/21) or (lab activity 10/17/21).

Make sure to address each component of the following essay prompts! 

The essays will be evaluated based on the rubrics presented in class (the same rubric as the midterm exam essays). Use the rubricsas guides when constructing your essays. 

There are separate submissions portals for each essay.  You will need to submit each essay as a MS Word document or PDF.

 

Essay #1:ApplyBradford-Hillcause and effect criteriatoclaims inthedocumentary,Circle of Poison(500-750 words) 

Based onthe documentary Circle of Poison,summarizefourscientific claims maderegarding the relationship between pesticides and human health and/or environmental quality (e.g., biodiversity change). 

For each of those claims, apply one Bradford-Hill cause and effect criteria and explain how the scientific claim illustrates the criteria.  

You should use a different Bradford-Hill criteria for each of the four scientific claims 

For each of the four claimsyou summarizefrom the documentary, construct a figure (e.g., graph or drawing)to illustrate the general pattern of the data that underpin the claim. 

Describe and explain your figures whendiscussing how the claim from the documentary illustratesthe Bradford-Hill cause and effect criteria 

One of claims can be the same from your lab assignment but does not have to be. 

Your essay should present an argumentasto whether you think the four claims you have identified supportor refutethe overall arguments presented by thefilm. 

 

 

 

Essay #2:Comprehensive reading response(500-750 words) 

Read:Robertson et al., 2017Cellulosic biofuel contributions to a sustainable energy future: Choices and outcomesScience 

Summarize theargument andmain points of this article. 

Connectthese main pointsto each of the four units we have covered in this course (climate change, land-use change, biodiversity change/loss, and synthetic chemistry) 

Referenceand cite specific examples from class (readings, lectures, field trips,andlabs) tomake these connections. 

Explain howthe examples from our course supportor conflict with the statementspresented in the article. 

When making connections tothe course, make sure to comment on: 

Land use includingland sharing and land sparing; 

life cycle analysis; 

biodiversity benefits; 

pesticide use; 

climate regulation and mitigation; and 

the overall tone of this article (optimistic or pessimistic about the future).What language or examples give you this impression? 

 

Essay #3: Harnessing traditional ecological knowledgeto address climate change (500-750 words)

Based on Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s chapter, “Teachings of Grass” (pgs 156-166) in Braiding Sweetgrass and other examples of Traditional Ecological Knowledge from our course, how do you anticipate Indigenous knowledge/TEK and western science combining to help address climate change?

When supporting your argument/thesis that answers the question above, make sure to include evidence from the following:

class readings (ie: other chapters from Braiding Sweetgrass)

lectures: Aotearoa New Zealand and Cuba

Indigenous art lab

other course materials relevant to the question 

Your essay will be evaluated on the strength of your argument and the evidence and analysis used to support the thesis.