ASSIGNMENT 1:M4 DISCUSSION:CURRENT EVENTS/PERSONAL REFLECTION

ASSIGNMENT 1:M4 DISCUSSION:CURRENT EVENTS/PERSONAL REFLECTION

This week, let’s practice outlining the sources we would use in the persuasive argument for the final paper.

Let’s talk about assumptions and how we can use research to disrupt, investigate, support, or challenge the assumption or dominant narrative.

In this Module, we will read a lot about assumptions about why people migrate from Mexico to the US to work on fruit farms in Homes’ chapter from Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies. He describes the way the assumptions that are often talked about on the news don’t really line up with the way the migrant workers themselves experience the pressures to go do this kind of work. This leads to all kinds of risks, violence, and health compromises.

I pulled together one policy review paper and some academic sources that discuss the topics of food deserts and urban agriculture, as well as the assumptions that inform some of these policies (in some cases, even more so that empirical evidence).

Try to find academic sources, news sources, government publications, primary sources, videos, public debates, or even things like petitions. These sources can help you start to unpack what is empirically known, theorized, or popularly argued about the assumption or dominant narrative.

How I would go about this:

If I were writing about urban gardens in a low-income urban area, for example… I would start by seeing if my place fits the definition of “food deserts” as defined by Cummins and Macintyre (2002). Then I would see if some of the assumptions that they describe apply to my place. Then I would explore some of the literature that Walker et al. (2010) describe, and see which of the nine measures they describe fit my example, and what helps me understand my research topic in this specific place. Then, I would tie Darly and McClintock (2017) to the course materials about the neoliberal city, and see how this helps to describe the way my example is tied into global infrastructure and neoliberal policies. Finally, I would explore Tornaghi’s (2014) critical geography of urban agriculture. If I were really getting creative, I would try to find a local policy publication or public debate that pertained to my topic/place (something along the lines of the roundtable publication on public fruit trees). It still amazes me all the assumptions that are used to argue against planting fruit trees that could provide free food to the public in urban places… I could also talk about development of the urban garden I’m specifically looking at, and see if the community developed the garden, or if this was a model brought in by an external agency or organization (and then I could tie this into some of the themes from week 1 when we discussed NGOs and disaster response in Haiti!).

Try to include:

2 academic papers (you don’t have to read the whole articles, just find ones you think would help your argument)

2 news stories

1 primary (can be a public debate, a petition, anything like that)

My sources for this:

“Round Table” Discussion of Fruit Trees in the Urban Forest: roundtable fruit trees-1.pdf 

Cummins, S., & Macintyre, S. (2002). “Food deserts”—evidence and assumption in health policy making. Bmj, 325(7361), 436-438. 2002 Cummins and Macintyre – Food Deserts and assumptions.pdf 

1. Darly, S., & McClintock, N. (2017). Introduction to urban agriculture in the neoliberal city: Critical European perspectives. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 16(2), 224-231. 2017 Darly and McClintock – urban ag and neoliberal city-1.pdf 
2. Tornaghi, C. (2014). Critical geography of urban agriculture. Progress in Human Geography, 38(4), 551-567. 2014 Tornaghi – Critical geo of urban agriculture.pdf 
3. Walker, R. E., Keane, C. R., & Burke, J. G. (2010). Disparities and access to healthy food in the United States: A review of food deserts literature. Health & place, 16(5), 876-884. 2010 Walker et al – Disparities_and_access_to_healthy_food.pdf 

ASSIGNMENT 2 :M4 FINAL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: LIT REVIEW

M4 Final Project Development = A synthesis of how M1, M2, M3 Material Discussion content pertain to your topic/place 

I will provide a breakdown of the points earned and details about how to revise for full points. 

These assignments may be resubmitted for full points. 

Build on the brainstorming you completed for week 3, and put together a paragraph using the concepts from each week in relation to your topic and place. This discussion post should look like a literature review section and include, at a minimum:

Content from at least one of the annotations you wrote for modules 1, 2, and 3 (Absolutely use what you’ve already written in other discussion posts to make this easier to put this together! Think of each material post as an annotation you can incorporate into this post/your final project).

You should add at least 2 academic sources of your own (you may find your own, or you can draw from sources I’ve linked as optional).

This should be accomplished in a few paragraphs, including in-text citations, and a list of references. You may use the reference style of your choice.

Points will be assigned for the following

7 points for including all required course academic sources

5 points for including at least 2 new academic sources

3 points for proper in-text citations and reference list.

THE DISCUSSIONS LISTED BELOW ARE m1,m2,m3 so you can have an idea of what I wrote for these discussions to use for assignment 2

M1 discussion

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch characterized by the significant impact of human activities on the Earth’s ecosystems and geology (Amin & Thrift, 2017). It signifies a new era where human actions have become a dominant force shaping the planet’s environment, fundamentally altering its natural processes and cycles.

The concepts of ‘Development’ and the Anthropocene are intricately linked as development practices have directly contributed to the anthropogenic changes observed in the environment. Development, traditionally associated with economic growth and societal progress, has led to increased consumption, industrialization, and urbanization, which have in turn accelerated environmental degradation and climate change (Willis & Kumar, 2009). The pursuit of economic development often prioritizes short-term gains over long-term sustainability, further exacerbating the challenges of the Anthropocene.

Global environmental change is intimately connected to social and economic development as environmental degradation and natural resource depletion pose significant threats to human well-being and economic stability. The exploitation of natural resources for economic growth has led to biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, impacting vulnerable communities and exacerbating social inequalities (Amin & Thrift, 2017). The degradation of ecosystems undermines the ability of societies to sustain livelihoods and poses risks to food security, water availability, and public health, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental factors and development outcomes.

One key idea behind the Anthropocene is the alteration of our conventional understanding of space and time as human activities transcend traditional spatial and temporal boundaries, blurring distinctions between local and global scales and historical eras (Amin & Thrift, 2017). This reshaping of spatial and temporal orientations has profound implications for individuals globally, shaping their experiences and interactions with the environment.

Reflecting on an aspect of the Anthropocene that affects my life is the growing awareness of climate change and its impacts on daily living. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and changing precipitation patterns are tangible manifestations of global environmental change that directly influence my choices and activities. From adjusting travel habits to reduce carbon footprint to embracing sustainable practices in consumption and waste management, the realities of the Anthropocene have prompted personal reflections on environmental stewardship and resilience in the face of evolving planetary conditions.

In conclusion, the Anthropocene signifies a critical juncture where human actions are redefining the Earth’s ecological and geological processes. The intertwined relationship between development, environmental change, and societal well-being underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable and equitable practices to navigate the challenges of this epoch. Embracing a holistic approach to development that prioritizes environmental preservation, social equity, and intergenerational justice is essential in addressing the complex realities of the Anthropocene.

References:

Amin, A., & Thrift, N. (2017). Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet: Ghosts and Monsters of the Anthropocene. University of Minnesota Press.

Willis, K., & Kumar, M. (2009). Gender and environment in rural development: Unearthing the diversity. SAGE Publications.

• M2 discussion 
• Massey (2008) in “For Space” explores the complex interplay of space, place, and power in shaping social relations and identities. The author emphasizes the dynamic nature of space as a product of multiple interactions and relations, challenging fixed notions of spatiality and advocating for a more fluid understanding of space as a process rather than a static entity.
• On the other hand, Yashar (2007) in “Contesting Citizenship in Latin America” examines the rise of indigenous movements and the challenges they pose to traditional forms of citizenship and state authority in Latin America. The author highlights the transformative impact of indigenous mobilizations on redefining citizenship rights, political participation, and modes of governance in the region.
• Despite their thematic differences, Massey and Yashar share common ground in their focus on power dynamics and social movements as transformative agents in shaping contemporary societies. Both authors emphasize the agency of marginalized groups in challenging existing structures of power and advocating for social change through collective action and resistance.

However, the authors diverge in their conceptual frameworks and empirical contexts. Massey’s spatial analysis foregrounds the materiality of space and its role in mediating social processes, while Yashar’s examination of citizenship centers on the political struggles and identity politics within Latin American societies. The emphasis on spatiality versus citizenship as key analytical lenses reflects the distinct disciplinary perspectives from which Massey and Yashar approach their research topics.

• Massey’s exploration of space challenges conventional understandings of boundaries and connections, urging readers to rethink spatial relations in a globalized world. In contrast, Yashar’s focus on indigenous movements underscores the significance of identity politics and citizenship struggles in shaping political landscapes and state-society interactions in Latin America.
• In conclusion, Massey and Yashar offer valuable insights into the dynamics of power, space, and citizenship within different contexts, highlighting the multiplicity of factors influencing social change and political transformation. While both authors underscore the agency of marginalized groups in contesting dominant narratives and structures, their divergent perspectives enrich our understanding of the complex processes at play in contemporary societies.
• References:

Massey, D. (2008). For space. SAGE Publications.

Yashar, D. (2007). Contesting Citizenship in Latin America: The Rise of Indigenous Movements and the Postliberal Challenge. Cambridge University Press.

M3 DISCUSSION

In “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs (1961), the author critiques urban planning practices and advocates for a more organic approach to city development based on mixed-use neighborhoods and community interactions. Jacobs argues that cities thrive on diversity, pedestrian-friendly streets, and organic growth, challenging the prevailing urban planning paradigms of her time (Jacobs, 1961). Her work emphasizes the importance of bottom-up community involvement in shaping vibrant and sustainable urban spaces.

In “Planet of Slums” by Mike Davis (2004), the author explores the global phenomenon of urbanization and the proliferation of slums in developing countries. Davis highlights the social, political, and economic implications of rapid urban growth, emphasizing the marginalization and exploitation of slum residents in the context of neoliberal urban policies (Davis, 2004). His analysis sheds light on the harsh realities faced by marginalized urban populations and the systemic inequalities perpetuated by dominant development paradigms.

Both Jacobs and Davis critique conventional urban planning approaches and advocate for alternative perspectives on urban development. While Jacobs emphasizes the importance of human-scale urban design and community interactions, Davis delves into the structural forces driving inequality and urban poverty. Their works offer complementary insights into the complexities of urban life and the challenges of creating inclusive and sustainable cities in a rapidly urbanizing world.

Analyzing the works of Jacobs and Davis provides a comprehensive understanding of the diverse factors influencing urban development. By considering their contrasting viewpoints, I can explore the social, economic, and political dimensions of urban spaces and critically reflect on the power dynamics shaping our cities. Evaluating the reliability and relevance of their arguments is crucial for developing a nuanced perspective on urban development issues and fostering meaningful dialogue on inclusive urban planning practices.

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