We are all consumers in a global marketplace.  Some items we purchase relate to survival and daily living; other goods and services are "extras."  As part of the marketing game, advertisers not only want to make you aware of their products product(s) or brand name(s), they hope to motivate you to make a purchase.  The more you see an item as "essential," as a "need," or representing aspects of living you value the more apt you are to purchase it.  But, have you ever stopped to think about the educational message(s) within the advertisements?  The marketing angle must do some sort of educating in order to move you to make a purchase.  What are consumer advertisements saying to the general public?  What do they communicate about the state of our environment?  This last question is the one you should explore for this course and start considering with this assignment.

Instructions:

1. Based on our class definition of environmental chemistry, find an advertisement that is related to the environment by looking through one of the journals or magazines listed below.  If you'd like to choose a different publication that interests you, please feel free to do so.
2. Photocopy the advertisement (Hint: use the "photo" option on the copier so that it doesn't get too light or too dark during reproduction).
3. Legibly write the complete citation on the back of the advertisement (TitleYear, Volume Number(Issue Number), page number.           Example:  Time1999, 154(4), 48.)
4. Write a 2 page reaction to the advertisement from your prospective as an environmental chemistry student and member of society interested in the environment.  Make sure to consider the questions below, include a photocopy of the advertisement with your work, and include the citation for the advertisement.  It is possible that not all the listed questions will pertain to your selected advertisement.
5. Specifications for the paper: Computer word processor, margins = 1 inch, font size = 12 pt., line spacing = 1.5.

Questions to consider:

• What is your initial reaction to the advertisement?
• What product(s) or company is the advertisement trying to sell?
• What relates the product(s) or company in this advertisement to the environment?  to chemistry?
• How is the environment and chemistry being portrayed in this advertisement?
• Is the science reasonable (i.e. do you as a member of the general public think so)?
• How are living organisms interacting with the product(s) or company?
• How does the art work relate to the environmental message?
• What message, about the environment, is ultimately being sent to the general public?
• Why do you think this is (or is not) a realistic portrayal of environmental chemistry and other natural sciences in U.S. society?
• Does the advertisement appear ethically sound?
• After considering the above questions, what is your reaction to the advertisement now?

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