Thur. 4/6: Land Ethic Discussion + Damnation film

Today's Learning Goals
1. Understand the basic principles of and major arguments in Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic" and evaluate the strengths and limitations of the "Land Ethic" as a legitimate environmental ethic.

Agenda
1. Understanding and analyzing "The Land Ethic"-- CAN SOMEONE RECORD AND SEND ME OUR DISCUSSION FOR ABSENT STUDENTS.

• Helpful resource on explaining the Land Ethic: Click Here
• Pair-Share responses to question #1  from The Land Ethic Discussion Questions + Review Vocabulary terms at the top of this document.

• Whole class discussion: We'll break down the major parts of his argument, step-by-step and then end by evaluating the strengths and limitations of Leopold's Land Ethic!  Take notes in the margins of your reading to help you better understand the arguments and aid you during the test

2. Transition to film, Damnation
Step 1: Key Definitions
A. Ecoterrorism: "terrorism" with an ecological motive such as attacks against corporations perceived to be harming the natural environment.  Examples might be burning a building, blowing up a dam, grafitting, etc...

B. Environmental Ethics: is the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment and its non-human contents.  In other words, an environmental ethic determines what we are obligated to do with regards to the ENVIRONMENT.  

Step 2: Discussion
1. What do you think are some of the positive and negative impacts of dams?

2. Do you think ecoterrorism is ethical? Can you think of an example where you would be able to justify an act of ecoterrorism? 

3. What do you know about dams?

Step 3: Watch film!
Take notes using the document I give you in class.