Skip to Main Content

ESL400 (Kaiser)

Research guide to assist students in Prof Kaiser's ESL400 class (Fall 2025)

Starting with Books

Browse these books to learn more about your topics. Some tips for using books for research:

  • Use the summary to see if a book might have relevant information on your topic
  • Look at the table of contents and index to see if it has information related to your topic
  • If you're using an online book, use the search or find feature to locate specific words related to your topic
  • When you encounter new concepts, keywords, or names that might help you in your research, write them down in your notes

Books to Start with

Prompt 1: The values of reciprocity and gratitude are central to Potawatomi people’s relationship with nature. Focus on a different indigenous group or groups of people, perhaps in your country of origin. Give specific examples of how they relate to nature – sustainable practices or action they have taken based on similar values. What impact did those practices have? What would it look like to apply those principles in California or your country of origin?

 

Prompt 2: How does the idea of "gift economies" differ from standard capitalism? How does each shape human behavior and relationships? What examples of gift economies or common property already exist, and what are their impacts? What other system or area do you think needs the principles of a gift economy? What would that look like, and what would be the impact?

 

Prompt 3: Kimmerer critiques the idea of the “tragedy of the commons,” referencing Elinor Ostrom’s work on collective management of resources around the world. Find other examples of collective management of resources. Evaluate the extent to which they are successful and how collective management could look in the Bay Area.

 

Prompt 4: What is indigenous science, and how does it differ from Western science? Ground your discussion in very specific examples and explain what we gain by considering these two perspectives together – or what we miss by ignoring indigenous perspectives.