Prof. Greg Hall

American Environmental History

Writing Assignment and Discussion Questions

During the discussion period of the class sessions, I may ask questions that are not drawn from this list.  Therefore, please read enough of the weekly assignment to be able to identify major themes, events, and issues, because they may be the subject of your small group discussion. 

11/8

Merchant, Chapter 15

1) Explain what people of color and women bring to the environmental movement.

2) Assess the goals and practicality of the Earth Summit (1992), the Kyoto Protocol (1997), and the Johannesburg Declaration (2002).

3) Explain Peter Borelli’s assessment of environmental philosophies and movements.

4) According to Fritjof Capra, what is the state of globalization and environmental sustainability?

11/1

Merchant, Chapter 14

1) Explain the purpose and goals of the National Environmental Policy Act (1969).

2) Assess Barry Commoner’s perspective on nuclear energy.

3) What is Charles Wilkinson’s assessment of water policy in the American West?

4) What is David Nye’s position on American energy uses? Be specific.

10/25

White, Organic Machine, all

1) Explain how analyzing the Columbia River through human labor enhances our understanding of the river’s history.

2) Explain the plight of the gillnetters.

3) Explain the process by which the power of the river was harnessed.

4) Assess the ability of state and federal agencies to “manage” the salmon of the Columbia River.

10/18

Worster, Dust Bowl, all

1.  Explain the themes in part one.

2.  Explain the themes in part two.

3.  Explain the themes in part three.

4.  Explain the themes in part four.

5.  Explain the themes in part five.

9/27

Merchant, Major Problems, Chapter 7 and 8

1.  Based on the documents in chapter 7, explain the environmental component to the relationship between African Americans and cotton agricultural in the South.

2. Based on the three essays in chapter 7, explain what the reoccurring problems were for cotton agriculture in the South.

3. In the documents in chapter 8, the editor argues that they “raise questions about the possible connection between a healthy natural environment and a healthy social environment.” Explain what she means by this.

4. Compare and contrast the Gibson and White essays in chapter 8.

9/20

Merchant, Major Problems, Chapter 5 and 6

1) Based on the documents in chapter 5, how would you characterize the relationship between Americans and the natural environment?

2) Explain the thesis and themes in Melosi’s essay.

3) Based on the documents in chapter 6, what are the concerns that Americans have about civilization’s impact on the natural environment?  Be specific.

4) Explain the thesis and themes in Blum’s essay.

9/13

Merchant, Major Problems, Chapter 3 and 4

1) Explain the thesis and themes in O’Brien’s essay.

2) Compare and contrast the essays of Manning and Stoll.

3) Explain the thesis and themes in Craven’s essay.

4) Compare and contrast the essays of Carney and Katz.

9/6

Merchant, Major Problems, Chapter 2.

1) In reading the documents 1-3, explain what you think is most valuable to historians.

2) In reading the documents 4-5, explain what you think is most valuable to historians.

3) Explain the major themes in Gutierrez’s essay.

4) Explain the major themes in Martin’s essay.

5) Explain the major themes in Isenberg’s essay.

8/30

Merchant, Major Problems, Chapter 1

1) Identify the thesis and major supporting evidence in Worster’s essay.

2) Identify the thesis and major supporting evidence in Diamond’s essay.

3) Identify the thesis and major supporting evidence in Cronon’s essay.

4) Identify the thesis and major supporting evidence in Merchant’s essay.