ENV222 Assignment #2
In this assignment, you will consider how,
concretely, we might find a path
towards a more sustainable human
society.
• Begin with an introduction where you
describe the nature or characteristics
of sustainability: What is it? How,
based on course readings and lectures, do
you understand sustainability? (You
could include ideas here like planetary
boundaries, a particular definition of
sustainability, regenerative perspectives,
the relationship to social justice or well-
being…). As well, provide a brief
overview of the rest of your paper. Make
sure your paper includes a clear thesis
statement which summarises the essence
of your argument (the nature of
sustainability + three key changes
needed to get there + key obstacles).
(Guideline: 175-225 words)
The following three sections could appear in
any order:
• Identify and describe one
technological innovation/change that
might help move us toward a more
sustainable society (Why is this change
important? How does it contribute to
sustainability?). Technological changes
could include changes to industrial
processes, energy production,
transportation systems, agricultural
models, or the way we design built
environments (this is not an exhaustive
list). Then, consider one economic,
political, psychological, or value-
related factor/obstacle that might need
to be overcome to implement this change
or innovation (Why? How?). (Guideline:
250-300 words)
• Identify and describe one political or
economic change that might be
necessary to move towards
sustainability (Why is this change
important? How does it contribute to
sustainability?). Possible changes could
include carbon trading or taxes, measures
to move toward a steady-state economy,
specific new international or national
policies (UN, trade agreements, etc.),
measures to relocalise economies
(bioregionalism), changing economic
indicators, changing rules governing
corporate behaviour, changes to
democratic governance, or initiatives like
a Green New Deal (this is not an
exhaustive list). Then consider one
technological, psychological, or
value-related factor/obstacle that
might need to be overcome to implement
this change (Why? How?). (Guideline:
250-300 words)
• Identify and describe one key
change in values, behaviours,
psychology, or worldview that might
be necessary to move towards
sustainability (Why is it important?
How does it contribute to sustainability?).
These changes could include moving
away from anthropocentrism,
domination, patriarchy, or consumerism
or shifting values from having more to
finding more life satisfaction in
community (this is not an exhaustive
list). Then consider one technological,
political, or economic factor/obstacle
that might need to be overcome to
implement this change (Why? How?).
(Guideline: 250-300 words)
Conclude your paper in one of two ways
(Guideline: 250-350 words):
• Option #1: Based on your analysis, what
might be some of the most effective
strategies for moving towards
sustainability? (Ex. Individual behaviour
changes, education, specific “holding
actions,” political advocacy or strategies,
technological innovation, specific social
movements or forms of pre-
figurative/visionary action, new economic
initiatives, etc.)
• Option #2: Based on your analysis, along
with a reflection on your own personal
interests and talents, describe one or
more concrete ways that you would like
to work for sustainability, either in the
present or future. Why do you see this as
important and worthwhile? What
implications does this have for your own
lifestyle, studies, values, practices, and
behaviours? (Feel free to use first-person
pronouns here.)
Use of Course Materials
Over the course of your paper, make sure
that you draw on course references (and,
optionally, additional academic references) to
support your argument. At a minimum (C-
level), draw on two different course lectures
and four different core course readings (from
at least three different weeks of the course).
The best papers will draw on a great
diversity of course sources (at least seven
different course readings and four different
course lectures) and may also include
additional academic references or optional
readings.
Length
The total length of your paper, counted from
just after the title to just before the reference
list, should be no more than 1400 words
total. Length penalties for longer papers will
be deducted as follows:
1401-1500 words total: 2% penalty
1501-1600 words total: 7% penalty
1601-1700 words total: 12% penalty
(with a penalty increasing at 5%/additional
hundred words thereafter)
Referencing Style
Reference your paper using a simplified APA
style, but make sure that all in-text citations
include a page or slide number (even if it is
not a direct quote). Note that you should use
references to support all your key ideas,
including those in introductions and
conclusions. Please include a page number,
even if the idea is not a direct quote.
• Books are cited in the format (Authors,
date, pp. #)
ex. (Khan & Smith, 2007, pp. 7-8)
• Lectures may be cited more simply in the
format (Lecture 1, slide #)
• In-class videos may be referenced using
the video title, lecture number, and video
time index: ex. (Welcome to the
Anthropocene, Lecture 1, 2:00-2:20).
Make sure to include a reference list in
simplified APA format:
• Books should be referenced as in the
syllabus (or in proper APA).
• Lectures may be referenced simply as
“Lecture #, date”
• In-class videos in the form “Video Title,
Lecture #.”
Please note that in-class videos are
essentially considered as part of the lecture
and do not count as a source distinct from
lecture.
Sources should be listed in alphabetical
order by the author’s last name. Sources
with no author (e.g. Lectures, videos) can be
placed according to the first letter of the first
word of the reference.
Important: Naming your File
Name your file in the following format:
• Begin with the TA code corresponding to
your tutorial’s TA: (see Perusall for codes)
• Your Tutorial code: ex. 201 (no initial “0”,
no “TUT”)
• The comes your name in the form
LastnameFirstname
• Then comes Assignment2
• Separate each with a hyphen
Example: R-201-JonesMila-Assignment2.doc
Submit your assignment on Quercus in doc,
docx, or rtf (not pdf) format.
Reminder: Late Penalties
A 5%/day late penalty is applied to late
papers and no paper will be accepted more
than 7 days late unless an extension has
been granted by the head TA. Please
endeavour to hand your paper in on time.
Extensions must be requested at least
48 hours before the due date and time
and will only be granted for acceptable
medical/accessibility-related reasons or
similar exceptional circumstances.
Assignment #2: Student Name: Student No.:
Grade Level A (Excellent) B (Good) C (Adequate) D (Marginal) F (Inadequate)
Quality of Writing and
Technical Issues (15%)
☐ Writing is excellent (includes
word choice, spelling, sentence
structure, flow, coherence,
transitions, and grammar).
☐ You include your name and
student number. You name your
file correctly, including the TA &
tutorial code.
☐ All in-text references include
page numbers.
☐ There is a consolidated
reference list in APA style.
☐ Writing is good (includes
word choice, spelling, sentence
structure, flow, coherence,
transitions, and grammar).
☐ You include your name and
student number. You name your
file correctly, including the TA &
tutorial code.
☐ All in-text references include
page numbers.
☐ There is a consolidated
reference list in APA style.
☐ Writing is adequate (includes
word choice, spelling, sentence
structure, flow, coherence,
transitions, and grammar).
☐ You include your name and
student number. You name your
file correctly, including the TA &
tutorial code.
☐ Most in-text references
include page numbers.
☐ There is a proper
consolidated reference list.
☐ Writing is marginal (includes
word choice, spelling, sentence
structure, flow, coherence,
transitions, and grammar).
☐ Some, but not all, of the
technical requirements are
fulfilled.
☐ Inadequate: The paper is
often difficult to follow (includes
word choice, spelling, sentence
structure, flow, coherence,
transitions, and grammar).
☐ Many of the technical
requirements are not fulfilled.
Critical
Analysis/Synthesis and
Organisation
(60%)
☐ The paper skillfully identifies
three changes (one from each
category) needed to facilitate a
transition toward sustainability.
☐ You include an excellent
introduction describing the
nature and characteristics of
sustainability, an insightful
thesis statement, and a clear
overview of your paper.
☐ Each major point
(change/innovation) is
presented deftly and developed
logically (why/how is it
important?). At least one
potential obstacle from another
category is analysed as well as
an insight about how this
impediment might be overcome.
The points draw on key course
concepts.
☐ Each point is supported by
convincing evidence.
☐ The paper has a compelling
conclusion that both
summarises key points and
proposes some effective
strategies for moving forward
(collectively or personally).
☐ The paper clearly identifies
three changes (one from each
category) needed to facilitate a
transition toward sustainability.
☐ You include a clear
introduction describing the
nature and characteristics of
sustainability, a thoughtful thesis
statement, and a good overview
of your paper.
☐ Each major point
(change/innovation) is
presented clearly and developed
logically (why/how is it
important?). At least one
potential obstacle from another
category is analysed along with
some suggestion of how this
could be overcome. The points
draw on key course concepts.
☐ Each point is supported by
clear, logical evidence.
☐ The paper has a well-
thought-out conclusion that both
summarises key points and
proposes some effective
strategies for moving forward
(collectively or personally).
☐ The paper identifies three
changes (one from each
category) needed to facilitate a
transition toward sustainability.
☐ You include an adequate
introduction describing the
nature of sustainability, a clear
thesis statement, and an
overview of your paper.
☐ Each major point
(change/innovation) is
developed logically (why/how is
it important?). At least one
potential obstacle from another
category is analysed. The points
draw on key course concepts.
☐ Each point is supported by
adequate evidence.
☐ The paper has a clear
conclusion that both
summarises key points and
proposes some strategies for
moving forward (collectively or
personally).
☐ The paper identifies three
changes (one from each
category) needed to facilitate a
transition toward sustainability.
☐ You include an introduction
with a thesis statement and an
overview of your paper.
☐ Each major point
(change/innovation) is
presented (why/how is it
important?). At least one
potential obstacle from another
category is described. The
points draw on course concepts.
☐ Each point is supported by
some evidence.
☐ The paper has a conclusion
that proposes at least one
strategy for moving forward
(collectively or personally).
☐ The paper inadequately
identifies key changes, not
covering many of the key points
required.
☐ The structure of your
argument lacks key features
such as a good introduction and
conclusion.
☐ Points are confusing or lack
logical development, key
evidence, interactions, or
relationship to course concepts.
☐ Little or no analytic and
integrative thinking are evident.

Quality of Research
(25%)
☐ In the assignment, at least 7
readings and 4 lectures are
skillfully used to support your
points. Each major point draws
on a wide diversity (4+) of
sources. Additional academic
sources are used where helpful.
☐ In the assignment, at least 5-
6 readings and 3 lectures are
skillfully used to support your
points. Each major point draws
on a diversity (3+) of sources.
Additional academic sources are
used where helpful.
☐ In the assignment, at least 4
readings and 2 lectures are
used to support your points.
Each major point draws on at
least two sources. Additional
academic sources are used
where appropriate.
☐ In the assignment, at least 2-
3 readings and 2 lectures are
used to support your points.
☐ In the assignment, fewer
than 2 readings and 2 lectures
are used to support your points.