Taking sides. Clashing views in sustainability

by Robert W. Taylor

Taking Sides volumes present current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with "Learning Outcomes, " an "Issue Summary, " an "Introduction, " and an "Exploring the Issue" section featuring "Critical Thinking and Reflection, Is There Common Ground?, " and "Additional Resources." Taking Sides readers also offer a "Topic Guide" and an annotated listing of "Internet References" for further consideration of the issues. An online Instructor's Resource Guide with testing material is available for each volume. "Using Taking Sides in the Classroom" is also an excellent instructor resource. Visit www.mhhe.com/takingsides for more details.

Genres: Sustainability

560 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2011

Reviews

[Boognish3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the approach - calling out various issues or topics within sustainability and having a "yes" and "no" argument for each. Sometimes, though, they did not feel like they were arguing for or against the stated topic so much as providing some research about them. That is fine, and was still helpful, but this edition was published in 2014. The article excerpts (the "yes" and "no" stances) included are from 2012 or earlier, and a lot of changes have come about in conservation, sustainability, and the political landscape. It is a good resource, and, again, an interesting approach, but I would look for something more current if you are aiming to get a solid grasp of sustainability topics (or be prepared to spend time looking up current info for things like energy portfolios, legislation changes, etc. - you would have to do that to some extent even if it was only a few years old, but it would not be as much of a lift). I would have given it 3.5 stars if I could, but did not see an option for that so...3 stars it is.