GEG 332 Environmental Justice syllabus fall 2013

This course is an introduction to the multiple disciplines of environmental studies. We begin by examining why people have sought to protect the environment, using approaches such as environmental ethics, environmental justice, and sustainability. The course is then divided into three topical areas: biodiversity loss, freshwater depletion, and climate change. For each, we will analyze the main biophysical patterns, processes, and threats to people and environments. Then we will view each topic through social scientific perspectives commonly used by environmental social scientists, including the tragedy of the commons, environmental economics and other ecological modernization perspectives, and political economy perspectives. The course emphasizes individual and collective change with an emphasis on social justice. Course time will be spent in small groups, larger discussions, and multimedia lectures. As a member of this course, you are part of a learning community and thus responsible for doing the readings and assignments for each class period and participating fully and respectfully in all class activities.