Sustainable human society.

In this assignment, you will consider how, concretely, we might find a path towards a
more sustainable human society.
• Begin with an introduction where you describe the nature or characteristics of
sustainability: What is it? How, based on course readings and lectures, do you
understand sustainability? (You could include ideas here like planetary
boundaries, a particular definition of sustainability, regenerative perspectives, the
relationship to social justice or well-being…). As well, provide a brief overview of
the rest of your paper. Make sure your paper includes a clear thesis statement
which summarised the essence of your argument (the nature of sustainability +
three key changes needed to get there). (Guideline: 175-200 words)
The following three sections could appear in any order:
• Identify and describe one technological innovation/change that might help move
us toward a more sustainable society (Why is this change important? How does it
contribute to sustainability?). Technological changes could include changes to
industrial processes, energy production, transportation systems, agricultural
models, or the way we design build environments (this is not an exhaustive list).
Then, consider one economic, political, psychological, or value-related
factor/obstacle that might need to be overcome to implement this change or
innovation (Why? How?). (Guideline: 225-275 words)
• Identify and describe one political or economic change that might be necessary to
move towards sustainability (Why is this change important? How does it
contribute to sustainability?). Possible changes could include carbon trading or
taxes, measures to move toward a steady-state economy, specific new
international or national policies (UN, trade agreements, etc.), measures to
relocalise economies (bioregionalism), changing economic indicators, changing
rules governing corporate behaviour, changes to democratic governance, or
initiatives like the Green New Deal (this is not an exhaustive list). Then consider
one technological, psychological, or value-related factor/obstacle that might need
to be overcome to implement this change (Why? How?). (Guideline: 225-275 words)
• Identify and describe one key change in values, behaviours, psychology, or
worldview that might be necessary to move towards sustainability (Why is it
important? How does it contribute to sustainability?). These changes could include
moving away from anthropocentrism, domination, patriarchy, or consumerism or
shifting values from having more to finding more life satisfaction in community
(this is not an exhaustive list). Then consider one technological, political, or
economic factor/obstacle that might need to be overcome to implement this change
(Why? How?). (Guideline: 225-275 words)
Conclude your paper in one of two ways (Guideline: 200-250 words):
• Based on your analysis, what might be some of the most effective strategies for
moving towards sustainability? (Ex. Individual behaviour changes, education,
specific “holding actions,” political advocacy or strategies, technological
innovation, specific social movements or forms of pre-figurative/visionary action,
new economic initiatives, etc.)
• Based on your analysis, along with a reflection on your own personal interests and
talents, one or more concrete ways that you would like to work for sustainability,
either in the present or the future. Why do you see this as important and
worthwhile? What implications does this have for your own lifestyle, studies,
values, practices, and behaviours? (Feel free to use first-person pronouns here.)
Use of Course Materials
Over the course of your paper, make sure that you draw on course references (and,
optionally, additional academic references) to support your argument. At a minimum,
draw on two different course lectures and four different core course readings (from at
least three different weeks of the course). The best papers will draw on a great diversity
of course sources (at least seven different course readings and four different course
lectures) and may also include additional academic references or optional readings.
Length
The total length of your paper, counted from just after the title to just before the
reference list, should be no more than 1200 words total. Length penalties for longer
papers will be deducted as follows:
1201-1300 words total: 2% penalty
1301-1400 words total: 7% penalty
1401-1500 words total: 12% penalty
1501-1600 words total: 17% penalty
1601-1700 words total: 22% penalty
(with a penalty increasing at 5%/additional hundred words thereafter)
Referencing Style
Reference your paper using a simplified APA style, but make sure that all in-text
citations include a page or slide number (even if it is not a direct quote).
• Books are cited in the format (Authors, pp. #)
• Lectures may be cited more simply in the format (Lecture 1, slide #)
• In-class videos may be referenced using the video title, lecture number, and video
time index: ex. (Welcome to the Anthropocene, Lecture 1, 2:00-2:20).
Make sure to include a reference list in simplified APA format:
• Books should be referenced as in the syllabus (or in proper APA).
• Lectures may be referenced simply as “Lecture #, date”
• In-class videos in the form “Video Title, Lecture #.”
Please note that in-class videos are essentially considered as part of the lecture and do
not count as a source distinct from lecture.
Important: Naming your File
Name your file in the following format:
• Begin with the TA code corresponding to your tutorial’s TA: B for Brennus, L for
Lauren, J for Janina, or P for Peter
• Your Tutorial code: ex. 201A (no initial “0”, no “TUT”)
• The comes your name in the form LastnameFirstname
• Then comes Assignment2
• Separate each with a hyphen
Example: B-201A-JonesMila-Assignment2.doc
Submit your assignment on Quercus in doc, docx, or rtf (not pdf) format
Reminder: Late Penalties
A 3%/day late penalty is applied to late papers and no paper will be accepted more than
7 days late unless an extension has been granted by the head TA. Please endeavour to
hand your paper in on time. Extensions must be requested at least 48 hours before the
due date and time.