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Silent Spring
Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson’s controversial book, Silent Spring, mobilized people the world over—and in a way no other
comparable work of twentieth century non fiction had. Besides raising our consciousness about ecology and
launching the modern environmentalist movement, Carson’s sobering exposé of the pesticide industry’s campaign
of disinformation inspired a 1972 ban that brought an end to the use of DDT in the United States. In addition to
the book’s content, the context of the publication—Carson’s own history as a woman in the sciences and in the
academy, as well as the institutional backlash surrounding the book’s controversial messages—is also part of the
rich and often contentious moral and ethical history of this country’s experience of science, gender, political
economy, and social courage.
Essay Topic
Essay Prizes
With a specific argument, consider
a modern social challenge with
direct relationships to issues raised
by the content and/or context of
Silent Spring. Explain the central
ethical concern related to this issue;
outline the stakes of this issue, and
consider who the primary
stakeholders are. Finally, offer (at
least) some general thoughts on
how best to navigate this issue. As
part of your argument, you may
wish to discuss Silent Spring directly,
but it is not a requirement for
submission. You may cite outside
sources, but it is not a requirement.
Submissions may be individually or
group authored.
USD Level:
1st Prize $300
2nd Prize $150
3rd Prize $50
Regional Level:
1st Prize $600
2nd Prize $300
3rd Prize $100
Essay Rules
Essay should be 1200-1500
words.
The winning essay on this
campus will be submitted for
consideration in the regional
competition.
Entries due: December 14, 2012
 Submit by Email to:
[email protected]
Official rules and grading
rubric can be found at
sandiego.edu/cee/usd_just_read.php
Sponsored by Student Affairs