LINKING-TO-LIFE TERM PROJECT PART B 

FOOTPRINTS & HANDPRINTS:
GLOBAL CHANGE FILM & VIDEO COMMENTARIES
(worth 15 pts)

 Start watching now! All commentary posts are due on the D2L Discussion Board
on or before Tuesday Dec 2nd, anytime before midnight (11:59 pm)

The D2L DISCUSSION BOARD IS OPEN FOR POSTING 

OVERALL GOAL OF THE TERM PROJECT:   
To link what you've learned in our Global Change course to aspects of your life that impact the Earth's global climate and environment both positively or negatively -- and explore what you (and others) can do about it!

OVERALL TERM PROJECT OBJECTIVE:  
 To research and propose a viable and practical choice, action or solution for reducing your Ecological Footprint or increasing your Environmental Handprint. 

In PART B of the Term Project your OBJECTIVES are to::

•  Select a Project Focus that interests you from one of the 4 Project Categories (below)

• View one film and one short video related to your selected Project Cateogory

• Identify at least one Footprint action and one Handprint action described in your chosen film and video and explain how the action impacts the environment in a negative or positive way

• Write and post a personal review commentary on the film and video that  identifies -- and comments on -- ways in which footprint and handprint actions influence specific aspects of the project category (or categories) you are exploring. 

• Evaluate and/or recommend the film substantiating and justifying your views using thoughtful reasoning

• Post your review commentary on the Discussion Board

STEP 1:  BACKGROUND  READING

• Review the information on the Ecological Footprint that you read for PART A

• Read this background article:  Our Environmental Handprint The Good We Do  to deepen your understanding of "footprints" and "handprints:"

	FOOTPRINTS:  the negative impacts in your use of  the environment's finite resources (usually based on the amount of fossil-fuel-based energy you use and the waste you produce in your everyday actions, as compared to the ability of nature to replenish these resources.)
	HANDPRINTS:   the "infinite" good that you can do to make positive impacts simply by changing the way you do things, at home, at work-- or anywhere (such as using a refillable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water; carpooling, taking public transportation and encouraging your friends to ride with you, instead of all driving separately, etc.)

 

STEP 2:  SELECT A PROJECT CATEGORY TO EXPLORE & WATCH A FULL-LENGTH FILM  & A SHORT VIDEO RELATED TO THAT CATEGORY 

The posted films and videos are organized under the following project category headings to get your thinking and inspire the selection of  your Project Focus for PART C:

PROJECT CATEGORIES

 
    LIST OF THE FILMS & VIDEOS  [pdf]

• You must view -- and post a commentary on -- at least ONE LONG FILM  and ONE SHORT VIDEO but feel free to view more as you decide what your Project Focus will be.  You don't need to stay within a specific project category when viewing the films and videos.

• While you are watching, look for examples of footprint impacts and any ways that were mentioned to reduce their negative effects, and  handprint actions that did some good and made a difference.  You will need to include at least one example of a Footprint and/or a Handprint in your Commentary on the film and video.

•  All of the films and videos  in the LIST are available as online links or streaming video links under the MOVIE icon in our D2L site (click on Videos > Linking to Life Project Films ).  I

• If you have trouble viewing the long films that are available via the Library's streaming video links, try the alternative online viewing option in this LIST or see the Library's Streaming Video Troubleshooting Guide to be posted under the Videos>Linking to Life Project Films section of our D2L site.

• After you've watched your film and video, prepare a thoughtful  200-300 word personal commentary on one film and one video based on your own ideas and in your own words. 

• In your commentary include a sentence that states:  "I noticed this footprint (or handprint) in the film:_____________."   Then provide at least one example of a FOOTPRINT IMPACT (and any ways that were mentioned to reduce its negative effects)  and/or a HANDPRINT ACTION( that did some good, made a positive difference, and/or generated even more positive longterm effects. )

• Prepare your two posts in advance, then COPY & PASTE it directly onto the D2L DISCUSSION BOARD.   (Do NOT attach it as a document that has to be separately opened -- just paste it right in)  

• IMPORTANT:  Be sure you post your review in the proper location for your film or video on the Discussion Board -- there is a posting topic for each film or video title.

• REMEMBER:  use copy and paste to post your review -- do NOT attach a document. 

• You are encouraged to comment on other postings by hitting reply - students who engage in really thoughtful exchanges and comments on other posts might earn a bonus point, depending on the quality of the exchanges.

• In your commentaries, in addition to the description of a footprint or handprint, you may include your personal reaction to the film or video, what you found interesting in it or learned from it, whether you agreed or disagreed with various parts of its message, if you found it hopeful or depressing, if you would recommend it to others -- and/or anything else you would like to say. 
  
  Some of the films are controversial, some are depressing, some are uplifting . . . . so you may have a variety of reactions -- and that's good!  Whatever you say, remember that you must substantiate and justify your views using thoughtful reasoning.  Your commentary should not be a simple re-telling of what the film was about, and should not be only a knee-jerk reaction of indignation or an effusion of flowery praise  . . .  Be specific, explain what you thought about the film and WHY you think this, with a convincing argument that substantiates your view. 
  

GRADING CRITERA:

Your Full Length Film Reviews are worth a total of 10 points and will be evalauated using the following rubric:

Your Short Video reviews are worth a total of 5 points and will be evalauated using the following rubric: