Module 3: Critical Analysis of Contemporary Media
Module 3: Critical Analysis of Contemporary Media djk167Lesson 7 - Critical Analysis of Energy and Sustainability Issues
Lesson 7 - Critical Analysis of Energy and Sustainability Issues djk167Overview
In this lesson, you will again apply the knowledge that you have gained in Module 1 to analyze one or more energy- and sustainability-related media selections. The selection may come from a variety sources and may be in various forms. Please keep in mind that you may encounter and utilize many of the terms from the first Module in this (and future) Modules, so it would not hurt to review them from time to time. I suggest at least looking over the "Language of Energy and Sustainability" terms and phrases at the ends of each Lesson in Module 1.
You will be presented with multiple themes this week. Pick one theme to analyze. I suggest at least browsing all materials before choosing a theme.
Please note that you will make a Yellowdig discussion board post this week based on the theme you choose.
Note that at the end of the lesson you also have an important assignment due, which is based on your current understanding of issues related to whichever book you choose to read in Module 4. You will base part of your analysis in the following Modules on this submission. Do not forget to do this assignment! It should not take long, as you should not do any reading or other investigation before completing it. It is meant to illustrate your current thinking about these topics, without any additional research. See the Calendar for all due dates.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
- critically analyze claims made in energy- and/or sustainability-related article(s); and
- analyze information sources that verify or contradict published information.
What is due this lesson?
See the assignment pages for all the specific details.
| Requirement | Submission Location |
|---|---|
| Lesson 7 Yellowdig Discussion Board post on chosen theme | Modules tab > Lesson 7 |
| Lesson 7 Content Analysis: Preliminary Thoughts on Book Topic | Modules tab > Lesson 7 |
Questions?
If you have any general course questions or questions about this lesson's content, please post them to our HAVE A QUESTION? discussion forum located under the Modules tab. I will check that discussion forum regularly to respond as appropriate. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses and comments if you are able to help out a classmate. If you have a question but would like to remain anonymous to the other students, email me through Inbox.
If you have something related to the material that you'd like to share, feel free to post to Yellowdig.
Lesson 7 Media Selections
Lesson 7 Media Selections djk167The goal of this lesson is for you to apply the knowledge you've gained in the first Module to a contemporary artifact in energy and sustainability. Pick one of the themes below to analyze. I strongly suggest taking a look at the assignment details prior to reading and/or listening to it, and before deciding which theme to analyze. This will help frame your thinking and home in on key details. I also suggest at least browsing through each of the selections below in order to make a well-informed choice regarding which theme to analyze.
The assignment is to analyze and post about one. If you analyze more than one, you may earn more Yellowdig points, but it isn't necessary if your first post is engaging and thorough. You are encouraged to go through each of the selections, as these are all really important contemporary issues. However, your only required to analyze one.
Theme 1: Degrowth: An Alternative to Late Capitalism
In this podcast, the folks at Vox explore the concept of degrowth, which puts a name to something that we have explored in this course. While there is not one universal definition to point to, degrowth refers to minimizing and/or eliminating the influence of GDP on economic policy and instead pursuing quality of life and sustainable use of natural resources. In order to do this, wealthy countries in particular must stop growing economically, and even shrink. If you choose this topic, base your discussion board post this week on this artifact.
To Read/Listen to Now
In addition to the podcast, you should read through this article and video about degrowth from the World Economic Forum as well as this article from The Conversation. These are meant to help you think about degrowth and its pros and cons.
- "Blame Capitalism: Degrowing pains," from Vox's podcast Today, Explained. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the "Play," but the full transcript is also available on the same page. You can also access the podcast (along with the rest of the podcasts in the Today, Explained series) here.
Theme 2: Climate Change Adaptation and Emergency Planning
You probably recall the devastating and deadly flash flooding that occurred in Texas during the very early moring hours of July 4th, 2025. Over 130 eople died, including dozens of children, many of whom were campers at Camp Mystic. This flood was kind of a "worst case scenario," given that it happened in the very early morning hours when people were sleeping, and since it was a flash flood, which provides very little warning. That stated, there appeared to be some possible oversights by emergency personnel on that morning that made it more deadly, and it is notable that a flood warning system was not in place due at least partially to a recent policy (and budget) decision. Camp Mystic - where so much devastation and tragic death occurred - is in a 100-year floodplain and in part of Texas nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley."
In this interview on the "Fresh Air" NPR show, Abrahm Lustgarten of ProPublica discusses the probability of the increased incidence of climate-related disasters such as this one, the attitude of the current federal government with regards to disaster preparedness, the economic impacts of these and other such events, climate mitigation, and domestic climate refugees. If you choose this topic, base your discussion board post this week on this artifact.
To Read/Listen to Now
- "'ProPublica' climate reporter calls Texas floods an 'early warning' of future chaos," an interview with of Abrahm Lustgarten by Tonya Mosley on Fresh Air on NPR. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the "Play" link at the top of the page (I suggest listening), but the full transcript is also available at the same link. You can also listen on any podcast app.
Theme 3: The Real Cost of Meat
In another The Ezra Klein Show podcast, Leah Garcés discusses the true costs (externalities alert!) of that all American pastime: Eating meat. Lots and lots of meat. According to Our World in Data, Americans ate nearly 300 pounds of meat in 2022. While it may be delicious (depending very much on personal preference), eating meat has a host of sustainability and animal welfare impacts.
To Read/Listen to Now
In this podcast, Ezra Klein talks to Leah Garcés about the many (deliberately) hiddent impacts of the meat industry. If you choose this topic, base your discussion board post this week on this artifact.
- "The Hidden Costs of Cheap Meat," an interview with Leah Garcés by Ezra Klien on The Ezra Klein Show. You should be able to find this podcast on whatever podcast app you use, but here are links to some of the most common apps: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, New York Times. If you would prefer, here is a link to the full transcript.
Summary and Final Tasks
Summary and Final Tasks djk167Summary
Well, that's all she wrote for Lesson 7! After this, you are on your way to Module 4, in which you will analyze an entire book. You should be able to do the following after completing the Lesson 7 activities:
- critically analyze claims made in the energy- and/or sustainability-related artifact(s); and
- analyze information sources that verify or contradict published information.
Reminder - Complete all of the lesson tasks!
Complete all activities in Lesson 7, located under the Modules tab.
For any assignments (e.g., Yellowdig discussion board), it will be helpful to look at the rubric before answering. You will see a button that allows you to view it below the assignment.
These activities are to be done individually and are to represent YOUR OWN WORK. (See Academic Integrity and Research Ethics for a full description of the College's policy related to Academic Integrity and penalties for violation.)
If you have questions about the assignment, please post them to the "HAVE A QUESTION?" Discussion Forum. I am happy to provide clarification and guidance to help you understand the material and questions. Of course, it is best to ask early.