Assignment Instructions
Question (5 points): Some environmental regulations seem to stand alone whereas others act like add-ons. Research the CWA regulations under Section 402, Section 403, and Section 405. Explain how each of these relates to other types of environmental regulations. How did these relationships come about? Why do you think “cleaner” statutes weren’t written to put these regulations in the “right” place to begin with?
Please cite all sources used both within and at the end of your answer. A fully developed response should go beyond your textbook and required readings (although may include them), have multiple citations from valid sources (no wiki-anything; use .gov, .edu. or .org websites) and should avoid direct quotes from others; rather relying on your own synthesis.
You must submit your essay as an attachment. Your report should be 2-3 pages and supported by at least 2 scholarly references.
This course uses automatic plagiarism checking software (Turnitin). You may submit your work up to 3 times prior to the deadline to check your similarity scores (aim for a green or yellow flag). It takes roughly 15 minutes for the system to process your submission and show the score.
CLASSMATE RESPOND1
In the first chapter of “Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t be Wrong” by Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow, the authors reflect of how paradoxical French culture can be regarding aspects like day-to-day activities like going to the grocery store against technological advancements like the use of “Smart Cards” with micro chips that carry personal information and ID codes. Upon moving to France, the authors realized how differently things are done and how much North Americans feel somewhat uncomfortable about French ways, because most of the time they don’t understand how solid and transcendental French culture is. Essentially, the authors’ goal in this chapter is to illustrate their theory of French people as the “aborigines” of their land. They explain how the vastness of France’s history interlaces with modernity and technological advancements, and how French people being the “originals” in their geographical location (unlike Americans) where able to build a solid social and cultural background that goes beyond traditions, and shapes the essence of how things are commonly done in France.
From this text I found extremely interesting the concept of ethnocentrism that the authors implement when talking about how when people travel to Japan or Africa they tend to understand or ‘digest’ different cultural practices easier than people who travel to France. We tend to think that since we belong or grew up in countries from the so-called “west”, we are essentially the same. It becomes tangible and real that other countries have vast pasts and deep roots that shape their people, their social structure, their urban organization and even architectural arrangements. But only completely understand this when we travel.
I touched the topic of ethnocentrism because we, as inherent members of one culture or another are constantly looking at the world through the lenses of our own culture, and what the authors did in this chapter was fundamentally realizing how ethnocentric their perspectives where when they became impatient at the lady carefully folding each pastry at the grocery store, or the person at the dry cleaner slowly folding their shirts. Upon becoming aware of this, they proceeded to take off these cultural lenses and analyze French culture in its own context! I find this fascinating because to my perspective, this is how we can truly find the value of globalization.
CLASSMATE RESPOND 2
Meet the Aborigines
Jean-Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow start their book with a chapter in which they describe the beauty and history of the France both in architecture and landscape and how awestruck they were by it. They tell of their visit to La Roche Guyon, a small town manifestly still infused by its beautiful history, tucked between the Seine and a four hundered-foot cliff of white chalk. They also mention seeing places like Avignon’s Palace of the Popes, Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louve, Les Eyzies, and other amazing places.
A second key point in chapter one is about how the past and the present overlap in France and how hard it is for the American mind to comprehend the “phenomenon.” Nadeau and Barlow give examples of old French tradition, buildings and primitive toilets that are still a part of France today. But the authors explain that they do not hold France up to American standards because the French are aborigines doing things in their own way, and these ways may or may not be the same as American ways
What most intrigued me most in the article was how modern or American customs and tools are adopted by France. I think of the example of Halloween and the incorporation of children marching, storming restaurants and stores, and chanting demands like their ancestors of old did (though for much bigger purposes). Also, there is the example of French people turning ancient cave dwellings into modern, habitable, homes with beautiful fronts and cars in the driveway. I am very impressed by how they so easily hold history and modernity together in daily life.
I also was interested to learn that the true founding of France is unclear and that there is no true-blooded French person. The authors explained that this is because the dozens of invaders and millions of immigrants throughout French history. Also interesting was how many of France’s most popular men and women like Alexandre Dumas and Marie Antoinette are not actually of French ancestry. Essentially, I learned people can learn how to become French, and that through embracing French history, modernity and grounded culture.
his assignment has TWO PARTS due a week apart:
PART ONE
1) read Chapter 1 of the book found in this pdf file: N&B_Ch1.pdfPreview the documentView in a new window
2) create a word document of about 300 words in English
about 150 words should be a synopsis of the chapter
about 150 words should be your opinions/comments/views on the chapter content (what it surprising/interesting/boring/new to you and why?)
PART TWO
comment on TWO of your classmates which will be attaches by typing under the entry to which you are responding. Be sure your comments are substantive and relate back to the chapter. Simply saying something like “I like French food too!” is not adequate. Show an understanding of the cultural awareness messages from the chapter and your classmates’ postings.