http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5019

For this assignment, you may want to focus on the following key concepts in the course:
Human Ecology, Environmental Justice, Globalization, Global Stratification
Refer to the writing assignment rubric for more information on how to compose your assignment.
 

Writing Assignment Rubric
Basic Requirements for your Writing Assignments:

Your writing assignment must …
• relate the article to core concepts in sociology (such as perhaps cultural relativism, mechanical social solidarity, conflict theory, etc.).
• display your knowledge of covered course material, drawing from any of the lessons that fit the topic of the assignment.
• be at least three pages in length, before including a title page, an abstract page, and a works cited page.

• be submitted via the writing assignment submission link.
• have 1 inch margins, 12 point Times New Roman Font, and be double spaced.
• have an introductory paragraph, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• contain a thesis statement.
• be submitted in APA format including a bibliography that contains the article assigned for that week and any other sources you cite.

Information on Writing Thesis Statements:

Identify the topic you are writing about or the question you are answering. Then do the following:

1. Scatter: Make a list of all the ideas relevant to the topic you are writing about.
2. Cluster: Group similar or related items into three-five clusters of ideas. Make-up a label for each cluster which represents all the items in the cluster.
3. Generalize: Make a general statement about the topic or the question you are answering, using the labels of your clusters in your statement. In this way, your answer to the question on your statement about the topic will include all relevant information but will be succinct. A generalizing statement can usually be turned into a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is a statement that is maintained by argument. It is a concise, clear statement that requires support in the body of the essay and which every portion of the essay or paper demonstrates. The thesis must contain an argumentative edge which is interesting and worth proving. Using an “although” clause is a simple way to construct a thesis statement with an argumentative edge. If writers can master the thesis statement, they will find they can organize and develop their main ideas more easily.

Characteristics of a good thesis:
• A thesis is expressed in a complete sentence.
• A thesis is worded as a statement, not a question.
• A thesis is expressed in clear, concise, focused language.
• A thesis expresses a point of view.
• A thesis can be supported by evidence.