Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Thank You for a Great Class
Grades are done and have been registered in MySJSU. Sometimes they appear quickly, other times, it can take a while. Give it at least a day or two.
Thank you for a great class. I very much enjoyed both sections and I hope the experience was pleasant for you, too. I'll leave you with an old Irish blessing:
There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.
-D
Sunday, December 11, 2011
[Week 17]
Update 1: The finals were graded last Friday. I won't receive them back until Tuesday afternoon, however. I'm also right in the middle of reading essays and papers. If you haven't yet received an email confirmation of your paper, look for one in the next couple days. Good luck with finals!
Update 2: I've looked over your finals and there were a surprising number of misreads of the prompt. Many of you confused a cover song, a song by one artist redone by another with permission (e.g. John Legend's cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep") with a bootleg, which is often an unauthorized redo or sample of a copyrighted song (e.g. many unauthorized YouTube mixes). And although there were a fair amount of 10s, there were also many 5s and 6s. These essays largely ignored structure and evidence, and instead relied heavily on summary. Finally, I hope to be finishing up the grades by tonight. So expect to get your final grades when I email you back to confirm I received your work.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Week 16: Sydney, Australia
Friday, December 2, 2011
Assignment: Extra-Credit
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| You have the opportunity to end the semester on a reflective note |
Your extra-credit assignment asks that you reflect upon a semester's worth of reading and writing about the ocean. What about the subject matter struck you as most interesting? What surprised you? What most alarmed you? Did you change your mind about anything? Were any preconceived notions of yours changed or challenged? In a reflection-style response, consider the experience of studying various aspects of the sea. This should not be so much about the class as much as it should be about the subject matter and related issues.
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Worth up to 15 extra-credit pts.
Due: Friday, Dec. 9th by noon via email
Monday, November 28, 2011
Ocean News 11.28.11
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| First floods, now crocodiles, plague Bangkok |
- Now that flood waters are receding, Bangkok is awash with crocodiles Associated Press
- The world is not enough: Meet the octopus that walks on land Huffington Post
- Do whales have dialects? BBC News
- US to extend border fence 300 ft into the sea Los Angeles Times
- Sea monsters and American Exceptionalism ThinkProgress
- 86'd: Shark fin soup at luxury Chinese luxury hotels Forbes
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Week 15: Hong Kong, China
| Repulse Bay |
Tu 11.29
Class: Writers workshop; Final exam prep
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 2, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST SIX PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
Th 12.1
In-Class: Final exam prep; Presentations
Fr 12.2*
Class: Writers workshop; Course review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER** (DRAFT 2, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST SIX PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
*This is the final class for Sec. 43
**Final draft research paper due via email by noon on December 9th
Sa 12.3
Final Exam: SCI 164 @ 10 AM; DRC Students: DRC @ 8 AM
UPCOMING:
Week 16
Tu 12.6
Class: Course review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT), EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY***
***Sec. 43 should email the Expository and Comparative Analysis essays by noon on this day
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Final Exam Prep
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| There are a number of techniques you can utilize for your final exam |
Below are two sample prompts for your final exam this week. Also included is the rubric from which your essay will be scored.
Sample prompt A
Sample prompt B
Final exam rubric
Finally, you'll also find a sample essay. It's for the 1A exam, but obviously the goals are the same.
Sample 1A prompt
Sample 1A essay
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Week 14: Munbai, India
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| The Gateway of India |
Tu 11.22
Class: Watch—“Shallow Seas” from Planet Earth (2007)
Th 11.24
No Class: Thanksgiving
Fr 11.25
No Class: Thanksgiving
UPCOMING:
Week 15
Tu 11.29
Class: Writers workshop; Final exam prep
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 2, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST SIX PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
Th 12.1
In-Class: Final exam prep; Presentations
Fr 12.2*
Class: Writers workshop; Course review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER** (DRAFT 2, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST SIX PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
*This is the final class for Sec. 43
**Final draft research paper due via email by noon on December 9th
Sa 12.3
Final Exam: SCI 164 @ 10 AM; DRC Students: DRC @ 8 AM
Week 16
Tu 12.6
Class: Course review
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT), EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY***
***Sec. 43 should email the Expository and Comparative Analysis essays by noon on this day
Friday, November 18, 2011
Ocean News 11.18.11
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| The Creature from the Black Lagoon is still a great sea monster movie |
- The sweet smell of whale vomit io9
- Showcasing of five of the best sea monster movies Screen Junkies
- Newly discovered: "Alien" sea worms LiveScience
- "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" songwriter dead at 87 Los Angeles Times
- US Army's new "hypersonic" missile travels 2,300 miles over the Pacific in less than 30 minutes Associated Press
- Learning from mass whale strandings Sydney morning Herald
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Week 13: Pemba, Mozambique
| Wimbi Beach |
Tu 11.15
Class: Presentations; Watch—The Cove (2009)
Th 11.17
Class: Writers workshop; Presentations; Assignments—Annotated works cited and Comparative analysis essay
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST THREE PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
Fr 11.18
Class: Writers workshop; Presentations; Watch—The Cove (2009); Assignment—Annotated works cited and Comparative analysis essay
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST THREE PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
UPCOMING:
Week 14
Tu 11.22
Class: Watch—“Shallow Seas” from Planet Earth (2007)
Th 11.24
No Class: Thanksgiving
Fr 11.25
No Class: Thanksgiving
Open Due Date Assignments: EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY
NOTE TO DRC STUDENTS: The final exam will be at 8 AM on 12.3 at the DRC
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Ocean News 11.9.11
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| A new Ogopogo video has emerged |
- Was Canada's Loch Ness just caught on tape? ABCNews
- Tragic: Harry S. Truman skipper dies after collapsing NavyTimes
- Are you smarter than an octopus? Orion
- Will Sir Francis Drake soon rise from the ocean's depth? CNN
- A mystery on the Irish coast MSNBC
- A 1914 report on the cryptids known as "Sea Dogs" Cryptomundo
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Assignment: Comparative Analysis Essay
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| Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on an unprecedented scale |
In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, as well as a large swath of the Gulf Coast. And while, it was the most expensive natural disaster in American history, the human cost was also staggering, as almost 2,000 perished.
Sadly, Hurricane Katrina was only one of a long line of ocean-based disasters people have suffered through the centuries. And as it was not the first, and it certainly will not be the last. For this essay, compare and contrast Hurricane Katrina with another ocean-based disaster, of any type or scale. On your own, research another disaster having to do with the sea. You needn't compare Hurricane Katrina another natural disaster. In other words, a maritime disaster, such as the RMS Lusitania or the K-141 Kursk, would suffice. However, be sure to cite at least two sources for your disaster. In your analysis, look for the common threads that tie the tragedies together. Likewise, how were the events unique? Were the events anticipated? Were they preventable? And what were the human cost of the tragedies?
Requirements:
- MLA format, including parenthetical citation
- 3-page minimum
- Include a works cited page, including at least two sources regarding your own disaster
The best papers will:
- Stay within the parameters of the prompt
- Have a concise thesis
- Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence and a logical structure
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's paranthetical citation method
- Conclude with a summation of your points
- Be in proper MLA Style
Due: At anytime before the end of the last day of class.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Week 12: The Azores, Portugal
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| Santa Cruz das Flores |
Tu 11.8
Read: eR—“The Legacy of Hurricane Katrina” (NPR), “Hurricane Katrina: The Essential Time Line” (National Geographic), “Katrina: Five Years After” (Time)
Class: Presentations; Lecture—“Citing Sources 101;” Assignment—Comparative Analysis
Th 11.10
Read: eR—“Requiem for a New Orleans Neighborhood” (Time), “Dr. Oz's Memories of Hurricane Katrina” (The Oprah Winfrey Show), “Did Global Warming Boost Katrina's Fury?” (ABCNews)
Class: Watch—When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)
Due: REFLECTION 6
Fr 11.11
No Class: Veterans’ Day*
*Email REFLECTION 6 by midnight on Friday the 11th
UPCOMING:
Week 13
Tu 11.15
Class: Presentations; Watch—The Cove (2009)
Th 11.17
Class: Writers workshop; Presentations; Assignments—Annotated works cited and Comparative analysis essay
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST THREE PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
Fr 11.18
Class: Writers workshop; Presentations; Watch—The Cove (2009); Assignment—Annotated works cited and Comparative analysis essay
Due: RESEARCH PAPER (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES OF THE FIRST THREE PAGES OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER)
Open Due Date Assignments: EXPOSITORY ESSAY, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ESSAY
NOTE TO DRC STUDENTS: The final exam will be at 8 AM on 12.3 at the DRC
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Reflection 06: A Sea of Tranquility—The Ocean and Spirituality
| Can the ocean heighten a sense of spirituality? |
For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.
—e.e. cummings
For centuries, people have assigned spiritual properties to the ocean. In addition to a plethora of ocean-related deities, many cultures and faiths have celebrated the sea as a place of human renewal. Today, the beach is still viewed as a place of spiritual enrichment. From meditations to weddings to the disposal of ashes at sea, the ocean continues to bring people as sense of serenity. In fact, the simple act of viewing an ocean sunset is as inspirational as ever for people. Do you believe the ocean has spiritual properties? Has the ocean ever inspired you in any way?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "A Spiritual Response to the Gulf Oil Spill" (Huffington Post)
- "Awe Inspiring" (The Beulah Land Blog)
- "Waves of Healing: Ocean Meditation" (DailyOM)
- "The Spirituality of Surfing" (SurfingRabbai)
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Due: Th 11.10 (Sec. 6) / Email to me by midnight on Fr 11 (Sec. 43)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Ocean News 11.4.11
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| PotC's mermaids evolved from Avatar-style creatures to human-like beings |
- The evolution of the mermaid à la The Pirates of the Caribbean Collider
- The "Unicorns of the Sea" revealed FoxNews
- RIP: Great White dies soon after its release from the Monterey Bay Aquarium San Francisco Chronicle
- The wonders of the Sea of Cortez Seattle Times
- Learning more about the ocean's ancient reptiles Columbus Dispatch
- Kelly Slater clinches his 11th world surfing title in San Francisco San Francisco Chronicle
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Week 11: Auckland, New Zealand
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| Waitemata Harbour |
Tu 11.1
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“Research Papers: The How-To”
Th 11.3
Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
Fr 11.4
Read: eR—“The Legacy of Hurricane Katrina” (NPR), “Hurricane Katrina: The Essential Time Line” (National Geographic), “Katrina: Five Years After” (Time), “Requiem for a New Orleans Neighborhood” (Time), “Dr. Oz's Memories of Hurricane Katrina” (The Oprah Winfrey Show), “Did Global Warming Boost Katrina's Fury?” (ABCNews)
Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop; Watch—When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006);
Lecture—“Citing Sources 101” and “Research Papers: The How-To;” Assignment—Comparative Analysis
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
UPCOMING:
Week 12
Tu 11.8
Read: eR—“The Legacy of Hurricane Katrina” (NPR), “Hurricane Katrina: The Essential Time Line” (National Geographic), “Katrina: Five Years After” (Time)
Class: Presentations; Lecture—“Citing Sources 101;” Assignment—Comparative Analysis
Th 11.10
Read: eR—“Requiem for a New Orleans Neighborhood” (Time), “Dr. Oz's Memories of Hurricane Katrina” (The Oprah Winfrey Show), “Did Global Warming Boost Katrina's Fury?” (ABCNews)
Class: Watch—When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)
Due: REFLECTION 6
Fr 11.11
No Class: Veterans’ Day
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Assignment: Expository Essay
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| The whale attack was only the first of many challenges for the Essex crew |
Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex tells the harrowing story of Nantucket whalers set adrift in the Pacific Ocean after their ship was sunk by a sperm whale. While lost at sea, the men eventually turn to cannibalism in order to survive. In a concise essay, illustrate the chain of events that led the whalers to the decision to consume their fellow crewmen. Additionally, consider the long-term effects on the survivors of the tragedy.
Requirements:
- MLA format, including parenthetical citation
- 3-page minimum
- Include a works cited page
- Stay within the parameters of the prompt
- Have a concise thesis
- Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence and a logical structure
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's paranthetical citation method
- Conclude with a summation of your points
- Be in proper MLA Style
Due: Draft 1—Th 11.3 (Sec. 6) / 11.4 (Sec. 43): Bring three copies; Final draft—Due at any point between this week and the final day of class: Th 12.6 (Sec. 6) / 12.2 (Sec. 43)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Ocean News 10.26.11
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| A on-eyed shark is caught off the Mexican coast |
- I've got my eye on you: An extremely rare cyclops shark captured MotherNatureNetwork
- Debris from the Japanese tsunami spotted moving toward Hawaii Yahoo!
- Amazing video: Eye-to-eye with blue whale YouTube
- Blackbeard's cannon retrieved from ocean floor ABCNews
- PETA lawsuit: Killer whales are being held by SeaWorld "in slavery or involuntary servitude in violation of the 13th Amendment" CNN
- What lies beneath: British scientists probe lake under Antarctic ice BBC
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Week 10: Havana, Cuba
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| El Malecón |
Tu 10.25
Read: HEART—p. 151-238
Class: Watch—Moby Dick: The True Story (2002); Assignment—Expository essay
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)
Th 10.27
Class: Library research session—MLK Library in room 125 (Meet at the entrance facing Tower Hall—if you are late, you must wait until 8 AM to be let in)
Due: REFLECTION 5
Fr 10.28
Read: HEART—p. 151-238
Class: Library research session (MLK Library, Room 213 @ 10 AM—meet in BBC at our regular place and time); Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch—Moby Dick: The True Story (2002); Assignment—Expository essay
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK); REFLECTION 5
UPCOMING:
WEEK 11
Tu 11.1
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“Research Papers: The How-To”
Th 11.3
Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
Fr 11.4
Read: eR—“The Legacy of Hurricane Katrina” (NPR), “Hurricane Katrina: The Essential Time Line” (National Geographic), “Katrina: Five Years After” (Time), “Requiem for a New Orleans Neighborhood” (Time), “Dr. Oz's Memories of Hurricane Katrina” (The Oprah Winfrey Show), “Did Global Warming Boost Katrina's Fury?” (ABC News)
Class: Reading discussion; Writers workshop; Watch—When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006);
Lecture—“Citing Sources 101” and “Research Papers: The How-To;” Assignment—Comparative Analysis
Due: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Ocean News 10.22.11
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| Titanic survivors row toward the Carpathia in this rare 1912 photograph |
- Are you ready to go back to Titanic?: Very rare images of the doomed passenger liner surface Yahoo!
- Goin' rogue: Australian officials fear a Great White has a taste for human blood Associated Press
- Save a penguin, knit a sweater Gawker
- Really?!: BP approved for new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico New York Times
- Meet the Queen Mary bartender and her ghostly admirer Huffington Post
- The senseless killings continues: More dolphins slaughtered in Japan's Taiji's Cove suite101
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Reflection 05: Tunes of the Tide—Ocean Songs
What is it about the ocean that singers and songwriters have found so inspiring? Why is water a theme that songs return to again and again. Choose 2-3 songs from the list below (links are provided for some), then examine the ways in which the sea is represented. In your analysis, consider the ways in which the water is portrayed (e.g. romantically, tragically, otherworldly) via music and lyrics. What emotions, if any, does the song evoke? Does the song make you feel like you're at the sea? Why or why not?
- "Surfin' USA" by The Beach Boys
- "Let It Be Sung" by Jack Johnson
- "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin
- "The Ocean" by The Velvet Underground
- "This is the Sea" by The Waterboys
- "Arctic Circle" by Royksopp
- "Ocean Breathes Softly" by Modest Mouse
- "Bali High" from South Pacific
- "Octopus's Garden" by The Beatles
- "Atlantis" by Les Baxter
- "Under the Boardwalk" by the Drifters
- "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna
- "The Sea and the Rhythm" by Iron & Wine
- "Rosie's Lullaby" by Norah Jones
- "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid
- "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
- "Oceans" by Pearl Jam
- "At the Beach" by The Avet Brothers
- "Petroc, Yelyena, and Me" by Flight of the Conchords
- "Blue Hawaii" by Elvis Presley
- "Sweet Leilani" by Chris Isaak
- "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
- "Summer Nights" from Grease
- "Island in the Sun" by Weezer
- "From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea)" by The Decemberists
To listen to songs, try Last.fm, SoundCloud, Pandora, Rhapsody, and Grooveshark. Lyrics can be found at Lyrics.com, A-Z Lyrics Universe, and LyricsFreak.
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Due: Th 10.27 (Sec. 6) / Fr 10.28 (Sec. 43)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Week 09: Miami, USA
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| Bayside |
Tu 10.18
Read: HEART—p. 77-122
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
Th 10.20
Read: HEART—p. 123-150
Class: Watch—American Experience: Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World (2010)
Fr 10. 21
Read: HEART—p. 77-150
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop; Watch—American Experience: Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World (2010)
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
UPCOMING:
Week 10
Tu 10.25
Read: HEART—p. 151-238
Class: Watch—Moby Dick: The True Story (2002); Assignment—Expository essay
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)
Th 10.27
Class: Library research session—Meet in MLK Library in room TBD
Due: REFLECTION 5
Fr 10.28
Read: HEART—p. 151-238
Class: Library research session—First meet in MLK Library in room TBD; Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch—Moby Dick: The True Story (2002); Assignment—Expository essay
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK); REFLECTION 5
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Ocean News 10.15.11
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| Bravo says it really happened, but many question this Housewife's claim |
- Was she or wasn't she?: Was a New York "Real Housewife" really lost at sea? Entertainment Weekly
- They're back: Japanese vessels ready for new whaling hunts Mother Nature Network
- Off the menu: Gulf seafood may be unsafe for expecting mothers and children Time
- Aquatic robots, called Mermaids, released into ocean to measure seismic waves OurAmazingPlanet
- Man eaten by Pacific island cannibal Daily Mirror (Warning: Gruesome)
- Forgotten sunken ship in Monterey Bay may contain three million gallons of oil KNTV-TV
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Assignment: Synthesis Essay
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| Which side of the climate change debate has been most successful? |
How might one characterize 2011 America's view climate change? Is it at the forefront of national dialogues? Are believers and disbelievers of climate change given equal consideration and respect? Where does the issue currently fall on the list of Americans' priorities? In a concise essay, synthesize the following diverse texts into a "snapshot" of contemporary America's view of climate change.
Utilize at least four of the following texts in your analysis:
- "In U.S., Concerns About Global Warming Stable at Lower Levels" (Gallup)
- "Warming Oceans and Human Waste Hit Tuvalu's Sustainable Way of Life" (The Guardian)
- "In Their Own Words: The Republican Presidential Field on Climate Change" (The Hill)
- "Al Gore: Climate of Denial” (Rolling Stone)
- "Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow" from South Park (Comedy Central)
- "The Climate Crisis Hoax" (Forbes)
- "Why on Earth Do We Listen to Those Who Cry Wolf?" (OnEarth)
Though not assigned, the following texts may also be considered in your analysis:
- "The Global Warming Hoax: How Soon We Forget" (American Thinker)
- "This is What Global Warming Looks Like" PSA (National Resources Defense Council)
- "Americans Fail the Climate Quiz" (NPR)
- "Classroom" Commercial (ConocoPhillips)
Above located in the eR.
Requirements:
- MLA format, including parenthetical citation
- 3-page minimum
- Works cited
The best papers will:
- Stay within the parameters of the prompt
- Have a concise thesis
- Find "common threads" amongst a diverse group of texts and combine them to create a "snapshot" of America's current view of climate change
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
- Conclude with a summation of your points
- Be in MLA Style
Due: Th 10.18 (Sec. 6) / 10.21 (Sec. 43)—Bring three copies
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Week 08: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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| Jumeirah |
Tu 10.11
Class: Reading discussion, Presentations
Th 10.13
Read: HEART—p. 44-76
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Assignment—Synthesis essay
Due: PERSUASUVE ESSAY; REFLECTION 4
Fr 10.14
Read: HEART—Preface-p. 76
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Assignment—Synthesis essay
Due: PERSUASUVE ESSAY; REFLECTION 4
UPCOMING:
Week 9
Tu 10.18
Read: HEART—p. 77-122
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
Th 10.20
Read: HEART—p. 123-150
Class: Watch—American Experience: Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World (2010)
Fr 10. 21
Read: HEART—p. 77-150
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop; Watch—American Experience: Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World (2010)
Due: SYNTHESIS ESSAY (DRAFT 1, BRING IN THREE COPIES)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Ocean News 10.08.11
- Whale found beached—in a Yorkshire field The Sun
- Tool time: Fish caught on tape using tools ABC News
- Down to the last few drops: Drought-stricken Pacific island nearly out of fresh water Reuters
- California's Governor Brown signs ban on shark fins San Francisco Chronicle
- Were comets the source of Earth's oceans? Forbes
- Stranded: Two divers left in open waters by charter boat Miami Herald
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Assignment: Persuasive Essay
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| The Indianapolis' gun crew, c. 1945 |
After enduring both the violent sinking of their ship and the ensuing life-or-death drama at the mercy of hundreds of sharks, the crew of the USS Indianapolis eventually had to bear the court-martial of their captain, Charles Butler McVay III. In what many have called one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in the Navy's history, McVay was convicted of "suffering a vessel to be hazarded through negligence" and "hazarding his ship by failing to zigzag." But as Doug Stanton illustrates in In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors, the captain's trial was less than fair and impartial. In fact, Navy officials used the sinking of the cruiser to distance itself from the incident and impugn the captain's reputation. In a concise persuasive essay, mount a robust defense for the Indianapolis' Captain McVay against the Navy’s charge of negligence. Cite specific evidence from Stanton's In Harm's Way to support to clear the captain's reputation.
- MLA format, including parenthetical citation
- 3-page minimum
The best papers will:
- Have a concise thesis with a clear argument against the indictment of Captain McVay
- Utilize rhetorical techniques in order to convince readers of your position
- Support their thesis with solid evidence organized in a logical structure
- Properly cite evidence, using MLA's parenthetical citation method
- Conclude with a summation of your points
- Be in MLA Style
Due: Th 10.13 (Sec. 6) / 10.14 (Sec. 43)
Monday, October 3, 2011
Reflection 04: A Fish to Fry—Seafood and You
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| A classic seafood paella, includes prawns, mussels, and lobster |
Seafood is often a love-it-or-leave-it endeavor for people. While some will eat anything (and everything) from the sea, others are pickier (e.g. "I love shellfish, but not fish"). Even its health benefits aren't always enough to sway some people. In fact, if you're not a fan of seafood, the smell alone can be difficult to get past. But for seafood lovers, the aroma of a grilled fish, for example, can instantly trigger pangs of hunger. What do you like or dislike about seafood? Are you open to tasting different types? Do you get excited at the thought of a steaming bowl of cioppino or a broiled swordfish steak? Or do those thoughts trigger your gag reflex? Finally, in your experience, what is the most challenging seafood to embrace? Sardines? Caviar? Squid? Oysters? Sashimi?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "The Go-To Fish for People Who Hate Fish" (Bon Appétit)
- "Weird Seafood" (RasaMalaysia)
- "Benefits of Seafood Outweigh the Risks?" (NPR)
- "Seafood and It's Health Benefits" (FitnessBegin)
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Due: Th 10.13 (Sec. 6) / Fr 10.14 (Sec. 43)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Week 07: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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| Guanabara Bay |
Tu 10.4
Read: HARM—p. 269-288
Class: Watch—Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever (2007)
Th 10.6
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Fundamentals of Rhetoric;” Assignment—Persuasive essay
Fr 10.7
Read: HARM—p. 269-288
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“The Fundamentals of Rhetoric;” Watch—Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever (2007); Assignment—Persuasive essay
UPCOMING:
WEEK 8
Th 10.13
Read: HEART—p. 44-76
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Assignment—Synthesis essay
Due: PERSUASUVE ESSAY; REFLECTION 4
Fr 10.14
Read: HEART—Preface-p. 76
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Assignment—Synthesis essay
Due: PERSUASUVE ESSAY; REFLECTION 4
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Ocean News 9.27.11
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| Was this famous 1968 carcuss, not a sea serpent, but a pipefish? |
- Reconsidering British Columbia's sea serpent, the Cadborosaurus Scientific American
- Don't forget your pillow: Sleepovers at Alcatraz proposed Curbed SF
- Pew Environment Group and Ocean Conservancy: Arctic should have more oil-drilling protection Bloomberg
- Psychology solves a 70-year-old WWII shipwreck mystery NPR
- "Plankmobs" protest shark finning in Hong Kong Metro
- San Francisco State study: Rising sea levels could take economic toll on California Los Angles Times
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Week 06: Victoria, Canada
| Victoria Harbour |
Tu 9.27
Read: HARM—p. 163-208; eR—“In U.S., Concerns About Global Warming Stable at Lower Levels” (Gallup), “Warming Oceans and Human Waste Hit Tuvalu's Sustainable Way of Life” (The Guardian)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“Easy Fixes: 10 Grammar Rules to Know”
Th 9.29
Read: HARM—p. 209-268
Class: Lecture—“The Sea on Film: Titanic, Jaws, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Hunt for Red October, and others”
Due: REFLECTION 3
Fr 9. 30
Read: HARM—p. 163-268; eR—“In U.S., Concerns About Global Warming Stable at Lower Levels” (Gallup), “Warming Oceans and Human Waste Hit Tuvalu's Sustainable Way of Life” (The Guardian)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“The Sea on Film: Titanic, Jaws, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Hunt for Red October, and others” and “Easy Fixes: 10 Grammar Rules to Know”
Due: REFLECTION 3
UPCOMING:
Week 7
Tu 10.4
Read: HARM—p. 269-288
Class: Watch—Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever (2007)
Th 10.6
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“The Fundamentals of Rhetoric;” Assignment—Persuasive essay
Fr 10.7
Read: HARM—p. 269-288
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“The Fundamentals of Rhetoric;” Watch—Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack Ever (2007); Assignment—Persuasive essay
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Ocean News 9.22.11
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| No longer considered a planet, Pluto may still boast underground oceans |
- Does Pluto hold subterranean oceans under its icy shell? New Scientist
- Champion surfer fatally attacked by tiger shark in Indian Ocean Yahoo!
- Be an extra in a Santa Cruz-set surfing film San Jose Mercury News
- A"gigayacht": When a "superyacht" just won't do CNN
- Russia signs off on underwater tunnel connecting it to Alaska The Inquistr
- Deep-sea squid sex: Bisexual and in the dark New York Times
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Reflection 03: Boxed In—Marine Mammals and Captivity
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| A new Humane Society report says orcas should not be captive |
Recently, marine parks and resorts in the United States, and around the world, have come under increased pressure to release their captive marine mammals, particularly those that participate in "swim with dolphins" programs or aquatic shows. Proponents argue that the presence of dolphins and whales in these parks and resorts is integral, and serves not only as entertainment, but raises public awareness and encourages oceanic conservation. Indeed, orca and dolphin shows have been a mainstay of the these parks and resorts for decades, often reaping greats profits. Animal rights activists argue that these are not only highly intelligent animals, sometimes surprisingly so, but very often dangerous predators. Thus, their captivity sets the stage for potentially perilous situations—for both the humans and the animals. Sadly, we were reminded of this in 2010, when a SeaWorld orca killed its trainer. Is the captivity of these animals for primarily entertainment purposes appropriate? What is our responsibility as consumers? Does our participation in these shows or programs signify our approval?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "So Wrong, But Thanks for All the Fish" (San Antonio Current)
- "Activist Sursara Sends Message to SeaWorld: Captivity is Not Conservation" (Examiner.com)
- "Report Outlines Why Orcas Shouldn’t be Captive" (Orlando Sentinel)
- "In Defense of SeaWorld" (Pressruns)
Above located in the eR.
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Due: Th 9.29 (Sec. 6) / Fr 9.30 (Sec. 43)
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Week 05: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
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| Kim Quay Grotto |
Tu 9.20
Read: HARM—p. 39-90; eR—“In Their Own Words: The Republican Presidential Field on Climate Change” (The Hill), “Al Gore: Climate of Denial” (Rolling Stone)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Th 9.22
Read: HARM—p. 90-162; eR—Clip from “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park (Comedy Central), “The Climate Crisis Hoax” (Forbes), “Why on Earth Do We Listen to Those Who Cry Wolf?” (OnEarth)
Class: Reading discussion; Watch: “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park (2005)
Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY
Fr 9.23
Read: HARM—p. 39-162; eR—“In Their Own Words: The Republican Presidential Field on Climate Change” (The Hill), “Al Gore: Climate of Denial” (Rolling Stone), Clip from “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park (Comedy Central), “The Climate Crisis Hoax” (Forbes), “Why on Earth Do We Listen to Those Who Cry Wolf?” (OnEarth)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch: “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park (2005)
Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY
UPCOMING:
Week 6:
Tu 9.27
Read: HARM—p. 163-208; eR—“In U.S., Concerns About Global Warming Stable at Lower Levels” (Gallup), “Warming Oceans and Human Waste Hit Tuvalu's Sustainable Way of Life” (The Guardian)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“Easy Fixes: 10 Grammar Rules to Know”
Th 9.29
Read: HARM—p. 209-268
Class: Lecture—“The Sea on Film: Titanic, Jaws, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Hunt for Red October, and others”
Due: REFLECTION 3
Fr 9. 30
Read: HARM—p. 163-268; eR—“In U.S., Concerns About Global Warming Stable at Lower Levels” (Gallup), “Warming Oceans and Human Waste Hit Tuvalu's Sustainable Way of Life” (The Guardian)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“The Sea on Film: Titanic, Jaws, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Hunt for Red October, and others” and “Easy Fixes: 10 Grammar Rules to Know”
Due: REFLECTION 3
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Ocean News 9.17.11
- Arctic ice at near-record lows NPR
- Murderous: Bottlenose dolphins killing porpoises off California coast San Francisco Chronicle
- Ocean junk today, shampoo bottle tomorrow Wall Street Journal
- The new stage for Chinese-Indian competition: Oceans Times of India
- A close call: Surfer has run-in with shark in Humboldt Bay Press Democrat
- What happened on Captain Sir John Franklin's famous fatal expedition? BBC News
Friday, September 16, 2011
Assignment: Editorial Essay
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| For decades, oil rigs have dotted our coast along Santa Barbara |
In an era of climbing gas prices, record unemployment, and increasing public skepticism of climate change, calls for oil drilling off the California have never been louder. In fact, a poll released this month by Yale University found that majorities of Democrats, Republicans, independents, and Tea Partiers support expanding offshore drilling for oil and natural gas. Drilling advocates argue that not only would it help our nation's energy independence, it is also an issue of national security. Opponents, on the other hand, point to last year's disastrous BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as evidence that California's coastal ecosystem deserves special protection. What do you think? In your view, is it time to reconsider drilling off our waters ? Or should the option of drilling in California waters remain off the table? Who are the winners and losers if and when we drill for oil off our coast? In a concise editorial, explain your position on this issue. Cite evidence from the articles below, as well as one article you find on your own, to support your thesis:
- “Poll: Californians Say No Nukes, But Maybe Oil Drilling” (Oakland Tribune)
- “Republicans Push Drilling Off California Coast; Democrats Say No” (McClatchy)
- “The BP Oil Spill, One Year On: Forgetting the Lessons of Drilling in the Gulf” (Time)
- “Oil Spill No Reason to Stop Offshore Projects in California, Local Industry Says” (Bakersfield Californian)
- “Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Offshore Drilling” (Reason)
- “Editorial: U.S. Needs Offshore Drilling and Tougher Safety Rules” (Dallas Morning News)
- “California Oil Drilling: Congress Considers Offshore Drilling” (Huffington Post)
- “Gas Prices Spur Move to Open Offshore Drilling in California, Alaska, East Coast” (Los Angeles Times)
- “Can Offshore Drilling Really Make the U.S. Oil Independent?” (Scientific American)
- “Op-Ed: Why Offshore Drilling Can Bridge Gap to U.S. Energy Future” (Popular Mechanics)
- “West Coast Senators Push Pacific Shore Drilling Ban” (Los Angeles Times)
Requirements:
- MLA Style, including parenthetical citation and works cited
- 3-page minimum
- Cite at least four articles, plus one article you find on your own
The best papers:
- Have a title that articulates its point of view
- Stay within the parameters of the subject matter
- Have a concise thesis which clearly outlines a position
- Are written in a voice that is casual, yet informed
- Clearly support their thesis with solid evidence and a logical structure, citing specifics from the articles above
- Cite a minimum of four articles, plus one other
- Conclude with a summation of the argument
- Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
- Are in compliance with MLA Style
Sample editorials from the New York Times:
- "Eggheads and Blockheads" by Maureen Dowd
- "Where the Jobs Aren't" by David Brooks
- "Is It Weird Enough Yet?" by Thomas L. Friedman
- "In Honor of Teachers" by Charles M. Blow
- "It's Still the 9/11 Era" by Russ Douthat
Due: Th 9.22 (Sec. 6) / 9.23 (Sec. 43)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Week 04: Stockholm, Sweden
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| Skeppsbron |
Tu 9.13
Read: eR—“Poll: Californians Say No Nukes, But Maybe Oil Drilling” (Oakland Tribune), “Republicans Push Drilling Off California Coast; Democrats Say No” (McClatchy), “The BP Oil Spill, One Year On: Forgetting the Lessons of Drilling in the Gulf” (Time), “Oil Spill No Reason to Stop Offshore Projects in California, Local Industry Says” (Bakersfield Californian), “Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Offshore Drilling” (Reason), “Editorial: U.S. Needs Offshore Drilling and Tougher Safety Rules” (Dallas Morning News)
Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“MLA and Works Cited;” Assignment—Editorial essay
Th 9.15
Read: eR—“California Oil Drilling: Congress Considers Offshore Drilling” (Huffington Post), “Gas Prices Spur Move to Open Offshore Drilling in California, Alaska, East Coast” (Los Angeles Times), “Can Offshore Drilling Really Make the U.S. Oil Independent?” (Scientific American), “Op-Ed: Why Offshore Drilling Can Bridge Gap to U.S. Energy Future” (Popular Mechanics), “West Coast Senators Push Pacific Shore Drilling Ban” (Los Angeles Times); HARM—p. xv-38
Class: LITERARY ANALYSIS/SHORT ANSWER RESPONSE
Due: REFLECTION 2
Fr 9.16
Read: eR—“Poll: Californians Say No Nukes, But Maybe Oil Drilling” (Oakland Tribune), “Republicans Push Drilling Off California Coast; Democrats Say No” (McClatchy), “The BP Oil Spill, One Year On: Forgetting the Lessons of Drilling in the Gulf” (Time), “Oil Spill No Reason to Stop Offshore Projects in California, Local Industry Says” (Bakersfield Californian), “Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Offshore Drilling” (Reason), “Editorial: U.S. Needs Offshore Drilling and Tougher Safety Rules” (Dallas Morning News), “California Oil Drilling: Congress Considers Offshore Drilling” (Huffington Post), “Gas Prices Spur Move to Open Offshore Drilling in California, Alaska, East Coast” (Los Angeles Times), “Can Offshore Drilling Really Make the U.S. Oil Independent?” (Scientific American), “Op-Ed: Why Offshore Drilling Can Bridge Gap to U.S. Energy Future” (Popular Mechanics), “West Coast Senators Push Pacific Shore Drilling Ban” (Los Angeles Times); HARM—p. xv-38
Class: LITERARY ANALYSIS/SHORT ANSWER RESPONSE; Reading discussion; Lecture—“MLA and Works Cited;” Assignment—Editorial essay
Due: REFLECTION 2
UPCOMING:
Week 5
Tu 9.20
Read: HARM—p. 39-90; eR—“In Their Own Words: The Republican Presidential Field on Climate Change” (The Hill), “Al Gore: Climate of Denial” (Rolling Stone)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Th 9.22
Read: HARM—p. 90-162; eR— Clip from “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park, “The Climate Crisis Hoax” (Forbes), “Why on Earth Do We Listen to Those Who Cry Wolf?” (OnEarth)
Class: Reading discussion; Watch: “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park (2005)
Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY
Fr 9.23
Read: HARM—p. 39-162; eR—“In Their Own Words: The Republican Presidential Field on Climate Change” (The Hill), “Al Gore: Climate of Denial” (Rolling Stone), Clip from “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park, “The Climate Crisis Hoax” (Forbes), “Why on Earth Do We Listen to Those Who Cry Wolf?” (OnEarth)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch: “Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow” from South Park (2005)
Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Ocean News 9.10.11
- PETA to Philippine town: Release Lolong the 21-foot crocodile Philippine Star
- Tom Hanks remembers September 11th's unsung mariner heroes Huffington Post
- Tanzanian boat capsizes; hundreds feared lost Yahoo!
- Movies from a sea monster's perspective Screened
- Now on display: A great white shark at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Los Angeles Times
- Coming soon: Another La Nina winter Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Friday, September 9, 2011
Reflection 02: Stay Out of the Water—Fears of the Ocean
To many of us, the ocean is a place of fun, relaxation, and beauty. However, there are also those of us who view the ocean with dread, a place wrought with danger and fear. In fact, the oceans do touch on many of our most primal fears, including fears of drowning, the unknown, and being out of our element. Which of your fears does the ocean touch upon? What doubts cross your mind, however briefly, as you enter the water?
Include in your discussion at least two of the following:
- "Fitness Guru Pushes Fears Aside to Complete Triathlon" (Naperville Sun)
- "Getting Over Fear of the Ocean" (SurfingHandbook.com)
- "Diver Debunks Sharks' Bad Reputation" (Los Angeles Times)
- "The Most Dangerous Things at the Beach" (LiveScience)
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Due: Th 9.15 (Sec. 6) / Fr 9.16 (Sec. 43)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Assignment: Research Paper
![]() |
| You might explore endangered or threatened species |
Here are the topics for your upcoming research paper:
- In a 2001 speech, then United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that "competition for fresh water may well become a source of conflict and wars in the future." Others, including environmentalists and economists, have also warned of impending “water wars.” Still, others disagree, calling the prospect of future water conflicts both alarmist and fabricated. Should this be a legitimate concern? Will future wars indeed be fought over water? Investigate the issues surrounding the potential water wars.
- The ocean is not often given its due as a source of scientific innovations, but from renewable energy technology to everyday applications for deep space exploration, it has provided us with a steady supply of discoveries. Conduct an in-depth analysis of three current ocean-based projects that hold the potential for great scientific progress.
- While efforts to combat climate change are at an all-time high, so too is climate change skepticism, even fatigue. Scientists tell us we are quickly approaching the point of no return, but will the world get behind serious efforts to combat it, or will other factors, such as economics, derail the fight? How is the future fight against climate change taking shape in America and abroad? Who is leading the charge for new climate change standards—and who is leading the charge against those standards?
- In recent years, the lucrative dolphin trade has come under scrutiny. Centered in Japan, but with centers worldwide, it is a multi-million-dollar-a-year venture. However, it has also come at a great cost to dolphin populations around the world. Animal rights activists have also highlighted the participation of American marine mammal parks, including SeaWorld. Who wins and who loses in this venture? Examine the dolphin trade to uncover the details of this lucrative business.
- From turtles to jellyfish to whales, all over the world, many ocean species face an uphill battle for survival. Profile three threatened or endangered aquatic species, including their chances of both survival and extinction. In your analysis, consider those common factors that might bring these three species to the point of extinction.
- Write your own sea-based prompt. Use the above prompts as models. Email me your topic by Sunday, Sept. 10th at midnight.
- A minimum 10 pages in length
- MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
- A minimum of 6 outside sources—at least 3 from peer-reviewed academic texts—listed in a separate Works Cited page
Include in your research paper:
- A clear thesis to guide your examination
- An in-depth analysis of your subject matter
- A conclusion that illustrates an understanding of the subject matter
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