I. Personal Narrative
Ecofeminism is concerned with structures of power and domination. History is replete with examples of exploitation and the patriarchal binary system that perpetuates the cycle of the strong taking advantage of the weak, the master of the slave, the owner of the worker, the boss of the worker, the ruler of the people, etc.
Think back over your own life. Was there ever a time when you experienced such a situation of domination? Free write about this encounter. Then, reviewing your thoughts, write a personal narrative that 1) recounts the situation or event and 2) expresses your insights about the impact that the structures of power had on your life. Length: 3-5 pages.
II. Descriptive Essay on a natural environment
“Nature” and humanity’s relations to our environment are also fundamental to Ecofeminism. For this second essay, you should try to experience a natural environment such as the Brookfield Zoo, a near-by park, conservatory, or lake. Fortunately, at this time of year this assignment should offer some enjoyable opportunities. You may choose to be alone or to be with friends or family. Concentrate on developing your descriptive writing skills through the depiction of this natural environment and your experience of it. Through your writing, try to inculcate for your reader a sense of “being there”; this process might involve sensory details as well as more elusive, emotional/spiritual undertones. Length: 3-5 pages. 25 points.
Click on each of the primary sources and enlarge it. Read all associated information; use the link and continue on to the next page. View the Power Point, answer the questions, and do any activities that are suggested. Then, write an interpretive essay, based on your analysis of the primary sources, of what the historical record tells us about domination and exploitation in the history of Hawaii. Length: 3-5 pages. 25 points.
IV. Report on a current Ecofeminist issue
Select one of the environmental concerns that is raised in the novel Shark Dialogues: such as (but not limited to), tourism (ocean, reef, harbor, beaches), economy (fishing, highways, pineapple, sugarcane, coffee), ecosystem (rainforest, rivers, lakes, soil), sovereignty (language, education, culture), health (leprosy, smallpox, geothermal drilling, nuclear radiation), volcanoes (active, lava, ash). Using the links provided on the class web site, investigate the current situation of this environmental issue. Alternatively, select an Ecofeminist issue that is raised by one of the other novels, such as, (but not limited to), immigration, child abuse, adoption, Native Americans, genetic engineering, world dictators, discrimination. Be sure to check the new American Memories Collection of the Library of Congress, Environmental Photographs. Make sure you cite your sources. I will review in class a procedure for citing electronic sources. Then, write a report. Length: 3-5 pages.
V. Analytic Essay on a novel
Select one of the novels, other than the one your group presented, and write an essay analyzing how it can be viewed from an Ecofeminist perspective. Be specific in your analysis and avoid generalizations not substantiated by textual references. Your discussion should be focused on the novel itself, but if you have consulted any other outside sources, please document this information correctly according to MLA style. 25 points. Length: 3-5 pages.
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Dr. Connie Mietlicki
College of Arts and Sciences
Last Updated on May 24, 2006