Quiz - Feb 2
There will be a quiz in class about the book by Charles Mann "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus." Students will be asked to answer at least 4 of multiple questions. This will be an-open book quiz, and students will have 20 minutes to turn in their answers.
Grading: every right answer will count for a full grade point. One mistake will transform the grade into a B, two mistakes into a C, three mistakes into a D, and 4 mistakes will be graded F.
Blog- semester-long
All students are encouraged to visit our course blog regularly to share information and ideas. Blog activity (min 4 postings through the semester) will count towards the participation grade.
Essay- Feb 14
Essay 10% -Exploring the Representation of Gender and Nature in Art
You are asked to write individual essays analyzing the relationship of gender and nature taking as a point of departure an art piece at the Mead Art Museum during our special Feb 9 session. This exercise focuses on content as much as form and style.
Content: This essay invites you to analyze the relationship between gender and anture in the arts at large, and you should take a piece from the Mead Art Museum as a point of departure. What is the gender of nature? We discussed the construction of wilderness and nature in class, both through 1491 and Avatar. But what does our idealization of nature say about us? Your analysis can move beyond pieces in the museum to integrate a larger analysis on the arts, from paintings to the media. The thought should be inquisitive and bring references to support your argument.
Format: Papers are expected to be a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 5 pages long, double-space. Every essay should have a title, a structured introduction (catch, problem, ouline) and a conclusion, and be accompanied by a list of references.
Essays are due via email by Feb 14.
Space Projects - Mar 4
Spacing GenderProject 10% - Individual projects mapping our environment, accompanied by an executive summary, are due in class Mar 4.
We decided upon a social experiment of your choice. Students experiment to use space in different, innovative, unexpected ways- especially with regard to gendered uses of space. You will present the conclusions of your experiment in class. You will also write a one page report (3/4 paragraphs) about the experiment you did, why you thought it was pertinent, and what the findings mean about our uses of space - both to you and the people around you.
You are welcome to do the experiments in pairs, and use any space or approach you find most interesting. You can do that at Valentine, in your dorm, in the streets, or in the pool. The venue is open, and the issue of space you select is too
Mar 23- Apr 29 - Bolivia Conference
April 2010- People Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth's Rights- Cochabamba, Bolivia
http://cmpcc.org/2010/01/05/call/
Students should register for the conference and select a theme of activities.
April 6- Final projects: research statements
By April 6, everyone should email the professor a research statement composed of 1) a title, 1) a one-paragraph problem-statement, and 3) a general outline. The problem statement is a paragraph discussing the critical question that will guide your final research. The problem statement defines the spinal cord/structure of the entire research project. It is, in a way, its core. You should in addition have a suggested outline of the main chapters and general architecture of your research attached to the research statement.