Wr2

Writing 2 McKercher

Essay 3: Discourse Analysis

Five pages minimum, at least three sources (two academic/scientific).

The purpose of this essay will be to understand and explain some aspect of what is undeniably the key environmental issue. We'll also start the process of finding credible sources and using high end heuristic prewriting, Pentadic analysis. It will be assessed based on quality of sources, depth and clarity of analysis.

Choose ONE of the following options (it might be possible to combine some, but clear it with me first)

1) Recommended It's now clear that the fossil fuel industry has been able to heavily affect the way Americans have thought about global warming, possibly for several decades. Recently, the number of American who believe global warming is real has actually declined (October '09 Pew Poll and March Gallup Poll). How exactly have they managed this? Why was it possible to create and maintain doubt in the face of growing mountains of scientific evidence? What organizations have been prominent in the debate? How funded? Astroturf? Greenwashing? See Link.

Some possible "angle"/approaches:

Skeptics have repeatedly used a ploy of circulating a petition of "experts" claiming that global warming is not real. The first was the Oregon Petition, the current version is the Inhofe 400. Sort of like the Project, investigate (perhaps dividing up the list among people in a group) and deternine whether you think it's legitimate or bogus. You can get some good tips on how to to good detective work here

A recent poll shows Americans' concerns about global warming are actually going down. Does this indicate that climate skeptics are making a comeback? What happened at Copenhagen? Was it altered by "Climategate"? video response One approach to this would be to analyze articles and/or videos in the debate. Examples: video segments Russia Today Link
Fox News Link
We Are Change Link
Glen Beck/ Media Matters promo: Link

Climate Skeptic Website has myths about global warming.

2) Global Warming This paper option explores the issue of global warming, including how it will affect rainfall, and air pollution. Apply the key concepts to a specific place or segment of the population that will be heavily affected (ideally people you know or have some connection to). Beware the dreaded high school "book report." We want specifics and analysis that your group could actually use to make plans to cope with the coming changes (in fact it'd be great if you could make some specific recommendations). UCSC green research resources.

3) Discourse Analysis: Find a "text" that will give you an opportunity to assess how we think about some aspect of the environment. This could be a film, television program (be sure it's one you have access to, so you can watch it carefully, takes notes, and even repeat if need be ; sometimes detailed synopsis or even a script is available online, in which case you could print it and annotate it as you watch) , an advertisement or a website. For film/TV, what assumptions are used? How does it account for why environmental problems exist? How are the good guys and bad guys portrayed? (any reality/nuance/balance?) What solutions does it offer? Are these some that the audience could employ? Can you point to any action generated by the video?

You'll want to do your own analysis, but it could be useful to look at others. For example: Conservative critiques of Avatar Fox Nation A more historical approach. Here's a green approach. You can find more academic materials on film website.

In terms of ads and websites, it could be useful to explore the images and arguments used by a company to establish (or repair) its green reputation (often called greenwashing). You might also examine a website created by an "astroturf" group (a corporate-sponsored organization masquerading as a true grassroots organization). Check out the PR section here. You might want to look at media criticism techniques on my popular culture class site.

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