The assignment is to write 5 pages on either, A Sand County Almanac, or Silent Spring. Remember that the objective here is not merely to summarize the content of the work, but rather to make a larger claim or argument about the text. Also remember that you must deploy specific textual evidence in support of your claims.

Actual assignment: Animals play a key role in both Leopold’s and Carson’s writing. Both authors engage in what we might call “thinking with animals.” That is to say they spend considerable time trying to understand nature from the perspective of its non- human inhabitants. Choosing one author, analyze the way he or she thinks with animals. In particular, what are the lessons does he or she imagine we can learn by observing and interacting with our fellow animals? Why does he or she think that other animals matter, and what realms of human knowledge (including self- knowledge) do other animals help us expand? Keep in mind that Leopold and Carson have very specific reasons for writing about animals. Therefore, you need to be clear about exactly why he or she wants us to think about and with animals.