In this assignment, you will be bringing together several of the skills covered in the course tutorials, such as careful reading, accurately summarizing arguments, and critical thinking.
Instructions
Choose one of the topics below and write a short essay in response to it. The maximum length is 1200 words (about 3-4 typed pages; ensure lines are double-spaced, use 12 pt-Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins on all 4 sides of the page). References do not count in the word limit. In order to save paper, please do not create a separate title page; put the title of your essay, your name, and Carleton ID number on the first page.
Topics:
(1) Should human population be controlled for environmental reasons? On CULearn there is a short paper by Garrett Hardin entitled "Carrying Capacity and Quality of Life." Using this paper, The Bet, and class materials, take and defend a position on this question.
(2) Should wilderness be protected from economic development? On CULearn there is a short paper by William Cronon entitled "The Trouble with Wilderness." Using this paper, The Golden Spruce, and class materials, take and defend a position on this question.
Structure:
Your introductory paragraph should have a clear thesis statement and give the reader a brief outline of your position. Your paper should then accurately summarize the argument of the paper you are responding to (depending on the topic you choose). After that, it should develop a clear argument that defends your thesis. A good rule is to have one main idea per paragraph that is explained clearly. The conclusion of the paper should draw together the main points of your argument to show how they support your thesis.
References:
You do not need to consult references beyond the essay associated with your chosen topic and class readings. Your paper should use the APA style for citations, which will be discussed in a tutorial. More information here: https://www.library.cornell.edu/research/citation/apa.
Article - CARRYING CAPACITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE By Garrett Hardin