Landscapes and Sustainability

Assignment 1

Landscape, Memory, and Place



Purpose

Often, landscape preference is influenced by the kind of landscapes that we grew up in. Landscapes of memory have a powerful hold over

us, individually and collectively. Understanding landscapes of memory and our historic attitudes towards the land as a society is the general

purpose of this assignment. The aim is to give you the opportunity to reflect on the place (or places) you are from and understand how

they have influenced your preferences and attitudes about the landscape and nature in general. This essay assignment is simply intended

to ground you in your relationship with the landscape and to begin a dialogue that will continue throughout the semester.



This assignment has three parts. It is recommended that you complete them in order.



1. Write about the landscape that you are FROM (write about Orange County, California), or a landscape that has some meaning to you. It could be where you grew up,

where you vacationed, where family lives, or any place that is significant in your life. Start with a simple description and then

elaborate on your relationship with that landscape and how it has influenced you or been formative in some way. If you are from

a densely populated city, you can write about your city, or you can include what types of open space (parks, forest reserves, etc.)

you visited in or outside your city. Whether you grew up in the woods, on a farm, or in a city, you have an experience of place and

a relationship with the landscape. Talk about how you are connected to this landscape.



2. Now, turn your attention to landscape you are IN. We are all in currently in the same place, which is the Sonoran Desert. (if, for

some reason, you are currently not in Phoenix, learn about the Sonoran Desert anyway. Chances are, you have been here to

study or will be here to study eventually). Regardless of whether you've lived here your whole life or arrived 3 weeks ago, it is

important to understand the landscape you occupy and how you, as a human, fit into that landscape. Write about the following (Please write about Tempe, Arizona):



a. What is your personal experience living in the Sonoran Desert?

b. Do you feel connected to this landscape? Explain why or why not.

c. Do you think it's important for people to have a connection with a place? Why or why not?



3. Read the attached excerpt from the book A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert and respond to the following questions:



a. What did you learn from the reading that you did not know before?

b. Did it align with or contradict your understanding or perception of the desert?

c. What does any of this have to do with sustainability?





Format

Compose an essay (500 word min - 750 word max) that is organized into parts that correspond directly with the description above.

You are encouraged to include images or drawings if you would like to illustrate your points. Your grade will be based on completeness,

the depth of your insights, and the quality of the writing. Please check your spelling and grammar before submitting. Poor spelling and

grammar will affect your grade. It is recommended that you complete your draft several days before it is due and then spend some time

refining and revising your writing.