Delta State University
SOC 421 Sustainable Development
Fall Semester 2006

Essay Topics

Video 1: On the Edge ...A Wake Up Call
    Essay Due September 5

    Question:

    What factors influence whether a society can develop in a sustainable (or unsustainable) manner?

    Draw on the variety of viewpoints on sustainable development expressed in this video.

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Video 2: Earth on Edge I
    Essay Due October 3

    Question:

    Sustainable development often requires people to change specific practices.  Provide an example of an unsustainable practice, and how it might be changed to make it sustainable.  What are some of the reasons why changing practices is so difficult?

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Video 3: Earth on Edge II
    Essay Due October 10

    Question:

    In order to implement a more sustainable form of development, it is necessary to change people's perspectives.  Drawing on the cases presented in the video, discuss how sustainable development projects change the way participants view the world.

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Video 4:  Prophets and Loss
    Essay Due October 31

    Question:

    What is the biggest THREAT to sustainable development?  In what ways does this threaten development?  What steps can be taken to address this problem?

    Choose only one topic, and focus your essay on this topic.

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Video 5: Sustainable Futures
    Essay Due November 14

    Question:

    Communities around North America have taken on the challenges of sustainable development.  What are some of the advantages or benefits of organizing sustainable development efforts at the community level?  What are disadvantages or costs of relying on communities to enact sustainable development?

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Video 6: NOW with Bill Moyers
    Essay Due November 21

    Question:

    What were the most important lessons from the Johannesburg conference?

    How will discussions at the Johannesburg conference contribute to sustainable development?