LINKING-TO-LIFE TERM PROJECT PART B 

PART B has been revised -- SEE BELOW

GLOBAL CHANGE FILM COMMENTARY
FOOTPRINTS & HANDPRINTS

 SUBMISSION DIRECTIONS

 Rough Drafts for Peer Review should be completed by Dec 1st
Group Peer Reviews should be completed by Dec 4th
Final Versions due in DROPBOX no later than 11:59 pm Dec 9

LTL PART B is worth a total of 75 points distributed as follows:
Completed rough draft = 15 pts   •   Peer Review Process = 10 pts   •   Final Revised Version = 50

 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:  WATCH A FULL-LENGTH FILM  & A SHORT VIDEO   

The posted films and videos are organized under the following project category headings to get your thinking about how what you are learining this semester relates to bigger isssues that link to your life.

 
    OVERVIEW OF THE FILMS & VIDEOS  [pdf]

all films and videos are available in D2L under Videos> Linking-to-Life Project Films

• You must view -- and write a commentary on -- at least ONE LONG FILM  but feel free to view more as you decide what your Project Focus will be.   You are encouraged to include elements of the video(s) you watched in addition to your selected full-length film.  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 listed in the Overview above are available as online links under the VIDEO icon in our D2L site (click on Videos > Linking to Life Project Films ). 

STEP 3: DISCUSS THE FILM & VIDEO YOU WATCHED WITH ONE OR MORE CLASSMATES,
                FRIENDS, FAMILY, etc.      (This can be anyone who has seen the film or video -- so you can do
                  this over Thanksgiving Break if you watch with a friend or family member.)

• The purpose of the discussion is to help you begin to articulate what you want to write about in your commentary. Time will be provided in class on Monday Nov23rd to identify those who've watched different films and videos so you can arrange a time to meet in person or in the D2L Video Chat Room to discuss the film/video virtually. If you miss class on Monday, see Class Follow Up for details or discuss with someone else over the Thanksgiving Break.

• To discuss films and videos "virtually" (if you prefer), first arrage a time to meet with a discussant, then go to the appropriate  Film or Video Chat Room  at your arranged time by clicking on the upper right navigation bar in D2L:
                                           
  

• After you've watched your film and video, prepare a  thoughtful 500+word personal commentary (1 - 2 pages) on the  full length film you've selected.  Your commentary should be based on your own ideas and in your own words and present a clear "thesis statement" (your key idea, position, argument or opinion  on the film (or some aspect of it) and how it relates to Global  Change topics and issues we've addressed in our class.. 

• In your commentary include a sentence that states something like this:  "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. )

• In your commentaries, in addition to the description of a footprint or handprint, you may include your personal reaction to the film, 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.  If there was an alternative view or message in the film or video that you disagree with, a good commentary will respond to this and provide evidence that supports your own view.
  
  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 evidence and 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.  

• Use  the Writing Template below to organize your commentary and write it well with a strong and convincing argument. 
                                                  printer friendly version of the template

REFERENCE LIST

         LIST SOURCES (other than the film  or video itself)  for all quotes, supplementary information or ideas  that you use to substantiate statements in your commentaries.  (For example: the Ecological Footprint website, the Handprint article,  urls of other webpages you used, pages in textbooks and Class Notes).  

        If you make a statement in your commentary in any of the above sections that is based on (or quoted from), one of your references, use "in-text" references to cite the source.  ( An in-text reference is a notation in your text that refers to an item in your reference list. ) 

 For your reference list use the name-year CSE citation format. For a handbook on referencing,1  CLICK HERE to see examples of how to cite different types of sources using the name-year CSE format. The site also gives examples of how to use in-text references.

The above template was adapted from this resource  found at the Writing Center Handouts  provided by the UA's THINK TANK

FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE ABOVE:   Your written commetnary should do the following to be rated as excellent:

·         Introduction
·         Thesis statement (key idea, position, argument or opinion on the film )
·         Explanation of  how  your commentary’s argument relates to Global  Change class topics
·         A body with several supporting paragraph, each beginning with a topic sentence
·         Evidence  that supports your thesis statement based on items from the film (and additional referenced sources if applicable)
·         One example of a footprint and/or handprint in the film that relates to your thesis
·         A convincing argument that substantiates and justifies your view(s) using evidence and thoughtful reasoning.
·         A response to alternative viewpoints or arguments as needed
·         Conclusion that re-states the thesis statement and its importance
·         Reference List of sources, using “In-text references format”

STEP 5:  SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTARY IN YOUR GROUP FOLDER FOR REVIEW (by Dec 1st)

• The DEADLINE for completing your rough draft for PEER review is DECEMBER 1st  but you can arrange with your group to submit and complete the peer reviews any time before.

• To submit your commentary for peer review to your GROUP LOCKER, click on Groups in the upper right navigation bar in D2L: