Sociology 592

Writing Assignment No. 1

Due:  Thursday, June 5

Instructions:  Prepare a two page essay on the topic identified below.  Be sure to develop an explanation or argument in your essay.  See the link from the course home page (http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/vp_academic/abarton/Soc492/Soc492Syllabus.htm) for further instructions on writing an essay.

Topic:  Draw on Schnaiberg & Gould’s “enduring conflict,” and/or the paradigms described by Catton & Dunlop and/or Buttel to analyze the land management conflicts depicted in the video “Forest Wars.”  How can the concepts presented by these authors help us understand these conflicts and the challenges land managers face?  Would reorganizing property arrangements on these lands (e.g. privatizing public lands, incorporating common property approaches) reduce or exacerbate the conflicts?  Explain, citing examples from the video in your explanation.