Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Unit 1
Unit 1
PART I A. Make a list of the problems you see about the environment in Colombia. Make sure
you describe the problem and indicate the origin of such problems.
1. Contamination of the rivers: It is generated by the garbage water generated by industries.
These waters damage the vitality of the water, causing life in the water to die in some cases,
such as fish.
2. Air pollution: It is produced by the burning of chemical substances that industries release
into the air. Air pollution is a big problem because air pollution causes respiratory diseases.
3. Deforestation: Most of the time deforestation is related to the livestock industry, as it cuts
down trees to make grass for cows. In the same way that produces more carbon dioxide.
4. Excess industry: Excess industry causes more pollution in the air, water and health of
society.
PART I B. Watch the video below for a class forum. Make sure that you understand the
arguments that the people talk about in the video. You need to to take notes and be prepared
to actively participate in the fourum.
The Colombian government fights against environmental destruction in the Bogotá River, with laws
and proposals to punish those who damage the environment. Despite existing laws, lack of
compliance and budget make recovery of the river difficult. Citizen participation and pressure on
social networks are key to achieving positive change in environmental protection.
PART II. A SKIMMING.
Do skimming and answer the following questions.
What is the general idea of the text?
The text talks about the tropical Andes mountain system, its geography and communities. It
describes some differences between the indigenous and mestizos people, such as they perspectives
of the agriculture, food, languages and worldviews. I think it emphatic in how the indigenous have a
close relation with environment, eat strange animals like llamas or guinea pigs. Also it explain how
the indigenous worldviews influenced to build Andes cities as Bogotá, Quito and La Paz.
What is the purpose of the text?
I think its purpose is talk about the relation of indigenous and environment, how they have had a
better care with the land, so they have worked it without hurt environment. They have a more
sustainable activities and worldviews than capitalims societies.
PART II B. INTENSIVE READING.
1. Make a chart with all the logical connectors with their meaning and example usage.
Connector Meaning Example Usage
Explanation of Indigenous and Mestizo Worldviews: This paragraph discusses the differences
between indigenous and mestizo worldviews, focusing on their respective perspectives on nature,
land ownership, and economic exchange.
Description of Ecosystems in the Tropical Andes: The paragraph describes the diverse ecosystems
found in the Tropical Andes, ranging from high-altitude mountains to lowland forests, and the
factors contributing to this biodiversity.
Influence of Ecosystems on Human Settlement Patterns: Here, the text explores how the diversity of
ecosystems has influenced human settlement patterns in the region, particularly in terms of
indigenous practices and historical developments.
Historical Environmental Transformations: This paragraph discusses the major environmental
changes that have occurred in the Tropical Andes since the nineteenth century, largely driven by
mestizo visions of development and economic exploitation.
Resilience of Indigenous Practices: The text highlights the resilience of indigenous agricultural
practices and communal land ownership despite environmental transformations and modernization
efforts.
Emergence of New Movements: This paragraph discusses the emergence of new social movements
advocating for environmental justice, indigenous rights, and alternative modes of living, influenced
by a fusion of indigenous and global perspectives.
Challenges and Prospects for Reconciliation: Finally, the text acknowledges the ongoing challenges
in reconciling diverse worldviews in the Tropical Andes and reflects on the potential of recent
efforts to promote harmony with nature and challenge capitalist paradigms.
4. Make a time line with the information given.
Pre-19th Century:
Indigenous societies inhabit the Tropical Andes region, practicing traditional agricultural and
communal land ownership systems.
Human settlement patterns influenced by the diversity of ecosystems, with emphasis on highland
areas.
19th Century: