brave world now: schedule | overview | solo #1 | group | resources | asic200
WORLD BUILDING PART 2:
SOCIETAL & HUMAN RELATED FEATURES
WORDS: 2000 (approximate)
MARKS: 40
% OF FINAL: 15%
MARKING RUBRIC: pdf (note this pdf is from 2017 but we’re still following it)
READING: IPCC AR5 WG 2 (Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerabilities) Summary for Policymakers (2014)
(https://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/images/uploads/WG2AR5_SPM_FINAL.pdf) and the IPCC Global Warming of 1.5C Summary for Policymakers (2018) link
POTENTIAL CITATIONS: see this pdf for guidance. As before, please use Chicago format (link).
DUE: hand in physical copy before March 19th class starts.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The cards you see in this section (which will help you provide a framework of discussion around your world building) are used with permission and were developed by the awesome Dr. Trent Hergenrader*.
Note that this second assignment will primarily focus on the future projection of the societal and human related characteristics of a specific locale of your (group’s) choosing (societal features such as governance, demographics, stressors, impacts and vulnerabilities, as well as commentary on possible outcomes due to progression of genetic technologies – human enhancements, etc). In general, please prepare a document that provides the following headings and information.
Some ground rules:
– No narratives that involve visits from space aliens (i.e. inclusion of unexplained technology, etc).
– No celestial events (i.e. meteorite crashing to Earth, etc)
– Citations must be credible and of high quality. In lieu of original peer review research papers (which can be difficult to read), you can cite UN, government reports, credible NGO white papers. If you are using news sources, be wary of the publication – not all sources are created equal (look at our course reading list for examples of reputable news providers)! Where possible, seek out the original research paper that the news article is discussing. See “Other Potential Sources” pdf above for a sense of what we consider credible. Please format your references using Chicago format (link)
– Please be aware that we will not be nit-picking over your specific projections when we mark this assignment. However, we do want to make sure that your descriptions have come from an obvious effort where you did try to find out what you can about future prospects of a particular place. Future claims that are extreme are not out of the question – indeed, they may even be more interesting, because your rationalization for that projected reality has to be all the more strong!
Assignment Rubric:
In reference to World Building Assignment I
Please make sure that you reference your group’s first world building assignment (due February 8th or 15th electronically). This is so that we can view your second assignment predictions with context already provided around: locale, emissions scenario, RCP, CO2 ppm, global temperature change, etc (essentially, headings as defined by your previous assignment). Note that all commentary you provide below relate to your group’s specific locale in 2119, but could also be discussed in context with an imagined global outlook.
ON ECONOMICS:
Use the following 3 world building scales to generate ideas on the economic status of your world. Pick a number ranking for each of the 3 scales, and record in your assignment (these will not be marked as they are mostly provided to help you generate your ideas). When providing descriptions for the economic section below, keep these rankings in mind.
Food and water security issues (~150 words, 3 marks total):
Please describe in both the local and global context for 2119, as well as provide a brief rationale for how it got this way. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your rationale.
Energy sources (clean or otherwise) (~150 words, 3 marks total):
Please describe the energy context for 2119 (what are the major sources and comments regarding access and supply versus demand), as well as provide a brief rationale for how it got this way. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your rationale.
Key industries (local and its relation to global) (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe in both the local and global context for 2119, as well as provide a brief rationale for why the locale focuses on this type of industry(ies). Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your rationale.
Transportation, trade (~150 words, 3 marks total):
Please describe the local and global modes of transportation that are most commonly used in 2119: if the transportation is novel, please provide a brief explanation. Also use this section to comment on trade considerations (specifically, movement of goods). Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your explanation.
Consumption patterns, eco-footprint commentary, trade (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe the general consumption habits of your world’s inhabitants for 2119 (both local and global), as well as any additional information that provides context. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your rationale.
GOVERNANCE:
Use the following 3 world building scales to generate ideas on the governance status of your world. Pick a number ranking for each of the 3 scales, and record in your assignment (these will not be marked as they are mostly provided to help you generate your ideas). When providing descriptions for the governance section below, keep these rankings in mind.
Form of governance(s) (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe the forms of governance (if any) and the various levels of governance as they relate to both the local and global context for 2119. Please provide an example of a current situation where such governance is used (if applicable).
Law and order considerations (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe in the local context for 2119, as well as provide a brief rationale for why the locale focuses on this type of law enforcement practice. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps explain your scenario.
ON SOCIETY:
Use the following 4 world building scales to generate ideas on the social status of your world. Pick a number ranking for each of the 4 scales, and record in your assignment (these will not be marked as they are mostly provided to help you generate your ideas). When providing descriptions for the society section below, keep these rankings in mind.
Demographics and population numbers (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe in both the local and global context for 2119, as well as provide a brief rationale for how it got this way. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your rationale.
Equity issues (if any), and description of factions, key groups (~150 words, 3 marks total):
Please comment on your locale as it relates to issues in equity. This can be specific to your locale or may be a generalized situation in the global context for 2119. If issues in equity do exist, then describe the demographics of the factions, groups, or communities involved.
Health issues (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe at least one health related issue as they relate to either the local and global context for 2119, as well as a brief explanation of the origins of this issue. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your explanation.
ON TECHNOLOGY:
Use the following 2 world building scales to generate ideas on the technology status of your world, as well as its possible influence on religious discourse. Pick a number ranking for each of the 2 scales, and record in your assignment (these will not be marked as they are mostly provided to help you generate your ideas). When providing descriptions for the technology section below, keep these rankings in mind.
Description of human genetic enhancements (~150 words, 3 marks total):
Please describe any key human enhancements (due to advances in genetics) as they would appear in your version of 2119, as well as a brief explanation of the origins of these enhancements. Consider how these technologies are integrated into the daily life of a citizen in your version of the future Earth. Please also provide a description of at least one intended and one unintended (scientific or social) consequence of these developments. Please provide a citation from a credible science source(s) that helps support your rationale.
Description on genetic modifications on other forms of biodiversity: (~150 words, 3 marks total):
Please describe any activities related to the genetic modification of others forms of biodiversity as they would appear in your version of 2119, as well as a brief explanation of the origins of these modifications.Consider how these technologies are integrated into the daily life of a citizen in your version of the future Earth. Please also provide a description of at least one intended and one unintended (scientific or social) consequence of these developments. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your rationale.
Description of computer related progress (~100 words, 2 marks total):
Please describe any key computer science developments as they would appear in your version of 2119. Consider how these technologies are integrated into the daily life of a citizen in your version of the future Earth. Also consider your ranking for “Government Presence” above. Please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your prediction.
POTENTIAL STRESSORS/IMPACTS/SOURCES OF CONFLICT (Each ~100 words, 8 marks total):
For each, please summarize some potential stressors, impacts, or sources of conflicts arising due to vulnerabilities. In each case, please provide a citation from a credible source(s) that helps support your predictions.
(1) Due to (extreme) climate patterns:
(2) Due to resource limitations:
(3) Due to possible pollution issues:
(4) Due to genetic considerations:
– – –
* Note that copyright for this card system belongs to Dr. Trent Hergenrader, so please contact him if you are interested in using yourself. Note that a variant of these cards (the world building deck in particular) is available for purchase at revenue neutral prices at gamecrafter. Finally, if you are interested in collaborative world building as a tool towards fiction writing specifically, or academics generally, Trent invites you to check out his upcoming book on collaborative world building.
ARTS SCIENCE INTEGRATED COURSE 200: GLOBAL ISSUES 