GEOS101 - Environmental Sciences is an area often misunderstood

Critical/Integrative Thinking Assignment GEOS 101-Environmental Science Student Assignment Sheet

Background

Environmental Sciences is an area often misunderstood, where misconstrued facts enter public debate and color the fabric of societal decision making. To this end, groups of students will examine various positions of controversial issues / scenarios and debate one another’s positions.

Project Details

The deliverable of the debate for CT/IT purposes is a 5-page paper graded against the CT/IT rubric (posted on BB) The overall project does have the presentation materials (PowerPoint or other presentation of imagery, data, etc.) notecard and Wiki checkpoints.

Debate Presentation Materials

Students should prepare a slide presentation to assist in their debate (title slide with author, 1-3 information slides, & source citations).

Paper Details

To complete the Critical/Integrative Thinking exercise, students must address a series of (7) conceptual questions in the context of the debate and summary paper as noted on the following page.

CRITICAL/INTEGRATIVE THINKING QUESTIONS

Topic: Against Nuclear Power Generation

1. Explain the problem/issue and explain why it is a conflict.

2. Describe the different parties (stakeholders) involved in the conflict/issue and their viewpoints within it.

3. What factual information supports your viewpoint? {Cite Sources}

4. Describe at least one viewpoint on the issue that differs from yours. Explain the facts and principles that support this opposing viewpoint.

5. How do different contexts (i.e. cultural/social, educational, technological, political, scientific, economic, personal experience) influence your arguments?

6. What is your personal viewpoint on the issue? In other words, which group or party do you side with? (irrespective of debate position)

7. If your assigned, defended position was carried out, what would be the implications and consequences (good and bad) for appropriate stakeholders and all of society? How does this differ if at all from the student’s personal perspective?