Highs And Lows: How Climate Change Is Impacting People And Plants In The Himalayas

Expectations:
This course will have regular source discussions throughout the semester. You will be asked to review/read texts, films, maps, websites, or objects. You will analyze these sources to produce reasonable interpretations. You will submit a copy to each SA to me by email on the date that it is due, but I also encourage you to create a digital copy of this analysis as a record for your ePortfolio. Also, I will assign between 2-3 of you to co-lead a discussion about the SA. For students to get credit for the source analysis sheets as a part of their ePortfolio, they must be in class for the discussion.

Source Summary:
For each source that you are assigned, please provide a one-paragraph summary of between 3-5 sentences. Remember, a summary is a brief overview of what the source is about—the main point or idea of the source. If I have assigned two sources to you, you may summarize each source separately. Or else, if you recognize a connection between the two sources, you can incorporate your summary into a single, slightly longer, paragraph.

The article discusses the impacts of climate change on the Himalayas, focusing on its effects on people and plants in the region. It highlights the accelerated melting of glaciers leading to glacial lake outburst floods, shifts in biodiversity as plants migrate to higher elevations, and challenges to agriculture due to changing growing seasons and water availability. Efforts are being made to study and mitigate these impacts, but more action is needed to address the root causes of climate change and protect the region’s biodiversity.

Critical Analysis:
Here are some questions/thoughts to help you think analytically. They are prompts for analytical thinking, so the idea is to respond to what occurs to you as most interesting, given your own perspective and knowledge. You do not need to address all of these prompts, but I expect you to include some coverage of at least 3 of these in your SA.
What is the creator’s main claim, thesis, or argument?
The main claim of the article is that climate change is significantly impacting both people and plants in the Himalayas. The creator is trying to highlight the various ways in which climate change is affecting the region, including glacier melting, biodiversity shifts, and agricultural challenges.
Is the creator trying to prove anything?
Why was the source created?
The source was likely created to inform readers about the specific impacts of climate change in the Himalayas and to raise awareness about the need for action to mitigate these impacts. The audience for the source could be anyone interested in environmental issues, conservation, or the Himalayan region specifically.
What was the purpose of the source?
Who was the audience for the source?
What does this source teach us?
This source teaches us about the specific challenges faced by the Himalayan region due to climate change and underscores the importance of addressing climate change on a global scale. It helps us understand the urgency of taking action to protect vulnerable ecosystems and communities in mountainous regions.
How does the source help us understand something about our problem?
When was the source created and what did it mean to the people during that time?
Consider the creator and what perspective/bias that might bring to the article.
Consider what in the source doesn’t fit or might surprise you.
Does the source remind you of anything?
Why is this source important to us?

Bibliography of Your Source(s):
You should now be in the practice of including a full bibliography of each source for your SA’s. This should appear at the end of your SA. You should make use of a standard bibliographic formatting convention (for example, MLA, APA, etc.). I recommend you use ZoteroBib (www.zbib.org) for this!

Highs And Lows: How Climate Change Is Impacting People And Plants In The Himalayas.” Conservation, Global Impact, Science and Research, 8 Dec. 2023.

Adapted from Lab Worksheet created by Prof. Spencer, Dr. Jill Anderson, and Dr. Kristine Hildebrandt

AFRICAN TRADITIONAL PLANT KNOWLEDGE IN THE
CIRCUM-CARIBBEAN REGION
JUDITH A. CARNEY

Expectations:
This course will have regular source discussions throughout the semester. You will be asked to review/read texts, films, maps, websites, or objects. You will analyze these sources to produce reasonable interpretations. You will submit a copy to each SA to me by email on the date that it is due, but I also encourage you to create a digital copy of this analysis as a record for your ePortfolio. Also, I will assign between 2-3 of you to co-lead a discussion about the SA. For students to get credit for the source analysis sheets as a part of their ePortfolio, they must be in class for the discussion.

Source Summary:
For each source that you are assigned, please provide a one-paragraph summary of between 3-5 sentences. Remember, a summary is a brief overview of what the source is about—the main point or idea of the source. If I have assigned two sources to you, you may summarize each source separately. Or else, if you recognize a connection between the two sources, you can incorporate your summary into a single, slightly longer, paragraph.

The article explores African traditional plant knowledge in the Circum-Caribbean region, focusing on how African plants and botanical knowledge were transferred to the Caribbean through the transatlantic slave trade. Judith A. Carney, a geography professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, examines the historical and cultural significance of these plants and their uses among African descendants in the Caribbean. The article likely discusses the impact of African plant knowledge on Caribbean agriculture, medicine, and cultural practices, highlighting the resilience and adaptation of African botanical traditions in the New World.

Critical Analysis:
Here are some questions/thoughts to help you think analytically. They are prompts for analytical thinking, so the idea is to respond to what occurs to you as most interesting, given your own perspective and knowledge. You do not need to address all of these prompts, but I expect you to include some coverage of at least 3 of these in your SA.
What is the creator’s main claim, thesis, or argument?
The creator’s main argument is likely centered around the significance of African traditional plant knowledge in the Circum-Caribbean region, particularly regarding its transfer through the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on Caribbean agriculture, medicine, and culture. The article probably aims to demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of African botanical traditions in the New World, highlighting their continued relevance and importance among African descendants in the Caribbean.
Is the creator trying to prove anything?
The creator may be trying to prove that African plant knowledge played a crucial role in shaping Caribbean botanical practices and cultural heritage, emphasizing the value of recognizing and preserving this knowledge. The source was likely created to contribute to academic discussions on African diaspora studies, ethnobotany, and Caribbean history, providing insights into the cultural and historical significance of African plant knowledge in the region.
Why was the source created?
.
What was the purpose of the source?
Who was the audience for the source?
The audience for the source could include scholars and researchers interested in African diaspora studies, ethnobotany, Caribbean history, and cultural studies. It may also appeal to individuals interested in traditional plant knowledge and its relevance in contemporary contexts.
What does this source teach us?
How does the source help us understand something about our problem?
When was the source created and what did it mean to the people during that time?
Consider the creator and what perspective/bias that might bring to the article.
Consider what in the source doesn’t fit or might surprise you.
Does the source remind you of anything?
Why is this source important to us?

Bibliography of Your Source(s):
You should now be in the practice of including a full bibliography of each source for your SA’s. This should appear at the end of your SA. You should make use of a standard bibliographic formatting convention (for example, MLA, APA, etc.). I recommend you use ZoteroBib (www.zbib.org) for this!

Carney, Judith A. “African Traditional Plant Knowledge in the Circum-Caribbean Region.” Department of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles

Adapted from Lab Worksheet created by Prof. Spencer, Dr. Jill Anderson, and Dr. Kristine Hildebrandt