InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Module 8.2: Cities in Peril: Future climate change, population growth, and water issues > Climate Change > Formative Assessment 1: Climate Change Debate
InTeGrate's Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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These student materials complement the Water Science and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.

Formative Assessment 1: Climate Change Debate

Instructions

In 100-150 words, you are expected to express a succinct, informed response to the question, based on the module content and assigned readings. In most cases there will be no specific correct answer, but your stated position must be supported.

Question

Let's dig a bit deeper into the so-called climate change 'debate'. There is a 97% concensus among scientific experts that climate change is happening and that it is largely due to human activities. Yet, there is a wide variety of opinions among the American public. Watch this video clip that followed an op-ed article by Carol Costello and answer the following questions in no more than a half page:

  1. Anthony Leiserowitz claims that there are general 6 viewpoints on climate change. List these 6 categories, note the percentage of Americans that Leiserowitz claims falls into each category, and briefly (in 2-5 words) describe each category. Think about which category you fit into (but don't include this information in your response).
  2. Pick any one of the five remaining categories that does not describe your viewpoint and do your best to convince me that it is the correct viewpoint. What are the best arguments supporting this viewpoint?

Submitting your Assignment

(online) Submit in Canvas
(blended) Bring your typed and printed answers to class.

Scoring and Rubric

Each answer will earn a maximum of 25 points, as described in the rubric below.

Rubric
Work ShownPossible Points
Provides a well-reasoned response to the question posed10
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure5
Includes one or more references to specific materials in Module or assigned reading5
Appropriate length (100-150 words)5

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »