You may write on any environmental topic but most likely you will expand on one of your log entries. The assignment should be an organized essay in which you identify a topic and state your sociological position on it in the first paragraph or two, present your sociological analysis of the topic with substantiation of your position in the next three or four paragraphs, and offer a summary and conclusions on your analysis in a final paragraph or two. The essays must contain a sociological slant. I expect the sociological sophistication of your essays to increase with time, as you learn more and gain more experience in thinking of the environment sociologically. The material is complex, even when you have been exposed to it previously.
Illumination occurs through reflection, rather than memorization.
The log and the essays offer the incentive for you to take the time to reflect. By the end of the semester, if you have kept your log and written your essays faithfully and sincerely, I believe you'll find yourself with a new awareness of the environment and your personal place in it. Total possible points for the course sum to 170. There will be no curving of grades and no extra-credit opportunities. If at any point in the semester you feel you're in trouble, please talk with me.