In addition to the required readings, students must view lectures of individuals important in the field of environmental science and sustainability and to watch short films/videos related to the topics discussed in class. Students are to write a minimum of 250 word critique (a little more than half a page single-spaced) on the required viewings for 10 of the 15 weeks of the semester in which the viewings are assigned (though more than 10 can be submitted and count as extra credit). Note that some weeks have more than one required viewing but the total required word count for the week remains the same - 250 words total for the week's worth of viewings NOT 250 words per viewing!. For example, if there are two viewings, one that is 20 minutes long and the other 60 minutes long, about 3/4ths of the minimum 250 word count should address the longer of the two viewings (approximately 190 words).
Each critique is worth 5 points and is usually due the following Tuesday at the beginning of class. No late assignments are accepted.
The following are guidelines on how to write your critiques. As you listen to each lecture and watch each film or video, take note of what you are learning and of the ideas and scenes that you think are the most important. Think carefully about what is presented and analyze it using the following questions to guide you:
It is especially important not to summarize what you have viewed. Instead analyze the material covered in the viewings using the aforementioned questions to guide you. Note: you do not need to answer each of the aforementioned questions for each viewing. After you state the main point, answer those that seem most relevant and interesting to you.
It is also highly recommended that you NOT watch the viewings until AFTER we have had lecture on the topic covered AND you have made sure you understood the material from class.
Please submit the critiques by email. Create a Google doc and provide me with editing privileges (peggy.lopipero@mail.ccsf.edu) so that I can more easily comment directly in your file. If you choose to hand in a hard copy, please practice resource conservation and use only one page front and back. Scratch paper or paper with recycled content is best.
These same guidelines should be followed for any film review that is done as an extra credit assignment. The same 250 word count minimum also applies.
Critique examples:
Note that the students wrote more than the required minimum of 250 words per week in the aforementioned examples which is totally acceptable.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Plagiarism is defined by the Random House dictionary as the "use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author". Any words and thoughts that are not your own must be referenced. Note, however, this is a short assignment and the point is to share your thoughts, not the thoughts of others. Plagiarism is considered cheating and a second offense can result in a "F" for the course. To understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it, read this UC Davis handout on Avoiding Plagiarism.