Below you will find three articles relevant to the topics discussed this week in class. PLEASE READ THE FIRST ONE LISTED, "Our planet and us". Then PICK ONE of the other two. Answer the following questions in separate paragraphs:

1. Summarize the main message of these TWO articles in 2-3 sentences each (for "Our planet and us" AND either "Defining the Anthropocene" or "Planetary Boundaries").

2. Do you agree with the authors' position (Anthropocene or Planetary Boundaries)? Why or why not? Use examples from lecture and the readings to support your position.

Do not 'green-wash' with statements about 'saving the Earth'; give an honest and considered position that takes your personal worldview into account.

3. Use the CRITICAL WRITING GUIDELINES AND RUBRIC (see below) to evaluate the authors and apply skepticism to their positions.

ARTICLES TO CHOOSE FROM

Nature Editorial 2015 Our planet and us

Lewis and Maslin 2015 Defining the Anthropocene

Steffen et al 2015 planetary boundaries

GUIDLINES FOR CRITICAL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

Critical Writing Guidelines and Rubric.pdf

Each critical writing assignment will consist of two parts, a response to the prompts or questions posed, including supporting citations from your own independent research, and a critical evaluation of the sources that you chose to use.

SUMMARY OF GUIDELINES

Each submission should include:

I. CRITICAL WRITING RESPONSE TO PROMPTS AND QUESTIONS

Follow the instructions provided for the assignment. Be sure to put everything in your own words. Summarize the topic and the content of any sources you cite.

II. CRITICAL EVALUATION OF SOURCES

Publisher/Organization/Author

1. Name/Title of organization/publisher

2. Type (government, educational, NGO, etc.)

3. Name of author

4. Authors qualifications, credentials

5. Is this source credible?

Purpose/Agenda/Bias

1. Does the source have an obvious purpose?

2. Does this lead to a biased view of the issue?

3. Does this bias affect the credibility of their position?

4. If you believe the source is unbiased, explain why

Skepticism

1. Are you skeptical about anything in this source?
Note that skepticism is not the same as doubt or cynicism; it is the application of your own judgement and knowledge to an argument and the pursuit of a more complete understanding.

2. Is any information confusing or misrepresented?

3. Is anything missing (information, an important viewpoint)?

4. Does the author provide sources? Are they credible (can you find the data, is it relevant)?

Citations (2 pts)

1. Author's name, Title of article/video, Year published, URL