Politics of the Environment

identify an argument related to the question and support that argument with evidence from academic sources. The argument should be stated clearly in a thesis statement and then supported throughout the paper using sources as evidence. The paper will be evaluated based not on the position you decide to support, there is no right or wrong answer, but on the quality of your argument and how you deploy evidence (your sources) to support that argument. In writing your paper, you must use at least 4 sources. 2 sources can be from the textbook or the sample references with each question and you must locate at least 2 additional academic sources. You may of course also use additional readings from the course or other sources located by you. All sources must be referred to in the text of the paper and not just listed in the bibliography (as per standard APA rules). Your paper must include: • An introduction that states your thesis and outlines the layout of your paper. • A clear statement of your thesis in support or opposition to the question posed. • A clearly developed argument, using evidence from your 4 academic sources, in support of your thesis. • A conclusion that restates your thesis and the argument found in your paper. • The paper must use the APA citation and reference list format. Questions 1. Role of Science For this topic you must select one of the environmental issues we have focused on (forests, water, toxins policy, climate change, endangered species, or pesticides) and how science (or scientists) play a role in decision making around that issue. For example, you could examine the role of the IPCC in decision making about climate change. Sample Sources: • Grundman, R. (2007). Climate change and knowledge politics. Environmental Politics 16 (3), 414-432. • Houck, O. (2004). Tales from a Troubled Marriage: Science and Law in Environmental Policy. Science 302, 1926-1929. • Sarewitz, D. (2004). How science makes environmental controversies worse. Environmental Science and Policy 7, 385-403. 2. Environmental Justice For this topic you must select one of the environmental issues we have focused on (forests, water, toxins policy, climate change, endangered species, or pesticides) and argue how (or if) that issue disproportionately affects a group based on race, culture, or gender. For example, you could examine how indigenous people in Canada (or a specific place in Canada) are disproportionately affected by the pollution of water. Sample sources: • Teelucksingh, C. (2007). Environmental racialization: Linking racialization to the environment in Canada. Local Environment 12 (6), 645-661. • Debbane, A. & Keil, R. (2004). Multiple disconnections: environmental justice and urban water in Canada and South Africa. Space and Polity 8 (2). • Mascarenhas, M. (2007). Where the waters divide: First nations, tainted water and environmental justice in Canada. Local Environment 12 (6). Reminder All written assignments are to be submitted in hardcopy in class as well as an electronic copy submitted through Turnitin.com on the day they are due. Both the hardcopy and turnitin.com copies must be submitted on the due date for the assignment to be considered on time. Emailed assignments will not be accepted under any circumstances. Students may choose not to submit to turnitin.com but must contact the instructor prior to the due date and must complete an annotated bibliography for the assignment. Please see instructor for further details. A late penalty of 5% per day (including weekends) will be assessed on any assignments turned in after the due date. Assignments more than five days overdue will not be accepted. Extensions will only be granted in extenuating circumstances and require appropriate documentation such as a Ryerson medical form. If this becomes necessary, please contact the instructor as early as possible. Students asking for last minute extensions will be asked to provide evidence of work in progress.