Philosophy Documentary Film on The Before the Floods Paper

• View one or more pre-selected documentary films
• Locate an important issue in environmental ethics [it will be up to you to identify the specific issue in question];
• Take a stand on the issue (pro, con, or “middle-of-the road”) [this will be expressed in your thesis statement];
• Support your position with reasons and evidence [this will be the main body of the paper where the “research” comes in];
• Identify one or more opposing views and respond to/rebut them [this will be your “objections and replies” section, which also may require research].

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Your assignment is to write a philosophy paper (approximately 1700 words minimum to 2100 words maximum) that incorporates what you have learned in the course with your own view on a particular issue within one of several broad areas of inquiry and research in environmental ethics. The areas, which correspond to topics covered in the course, are:

• Use and Abuse of Natural Resource
• Energy: Pollution and Renewables
• Animal Rights and Moral Standing
• Ecofeminism and Social Justice
• Political Ecology
• Climate Change

This is a research paper, and part of your research will be to watch one or more documentary films on your topic of choice (within these areas). In the “Course Resources” tab in the left navigation menu, you will find a selection of over 40 documentary films on topics in each of these areas. It is recommended that you view several of these, in different areas, to determine which topic most interests, excites, agitates, or even provokes or angers you. You may count these documentary films as external sources in your paper. They are all recent (most are from 2013 and later), informative, well produced, and well worth viewing. They are housed in the National University Online Library in the “Films on Demand” resource. You should be able to view the film embedded in the Course Resource content item without having to navigate away from the course. When prompted by the NU Library site for ID and a password, enter your current National University 9-DIGIT ID number and your 6-DIGIT (MMDDYY) birth date.

Your specific task here is to find an issue in environmental ethics that is addressed in the film and take an original stand on that issue. This will be the thesis of your paper. Some of these documentaries are mostly factual reporting, and while issues may be raised, the filmmaker(s) may not take a particular stand on any specific issue. In other cases, you will clearly detect a particular point of view and position taken on various issues. Some of these films feature philosophical debates, and these are the best examples of arguers taking stands on opposing sides of an issue. In any case, decide what the issue in question will be in your paper, and determine where you will stand on that issue: pro, con, or middle-of-the road, on that issue. Part of your grade on the paper will be based on the originality and significance of the issue you raise. Be sure to clearly state your thesis early in the paper (first or second paragraph).In the body of the paper, you will be supporting your thesis as well as responding to and rebutting opposing views.

Once you have introduced the topic and stated your thesis in the introductory section of the paper, you will begin the work of constructing your argument(s) in support of your position as well as analyzing and evaluating the arguments of possible views in opposition to or in conflict with your view. You should be able to derive a great deal of evidence for your arguments and evaluations from the film(s) you watch, but you are of course welcome to do as much additional outside research as you need to do to establish grounds for your supporting arguments as well as your rebuttals of opposing views.  The paper should integrate the philosophical concepts and ethical principles covered in the writings of at least three of the authors featured in the course Recommended Readings into the body of the argument or discussion of the thesis. In sum, the paper should refer to at least three sources taken from the Recommended Readings for the course and two additional external sources, one of which must be chosen from among the documentary films compiled for you here. You may choose a second documentary film for your second external source, or you may use a standard secondary source such as a book, article, reference text, or appropriately selected web page.