Environmental Justice from Conservation to Climate Change

Catalog description

What is environmental justice? Who are environmental justice activists, what do they believe, and how do they act? This course will explore these questions by reading, discussing, and comparing the biographies of famous activists (e.g. Rachel Carson, Chico Mendes, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Wen Bo, Berta C and #225;ceres, and Greta Thunberg) and not-so-famous, "everyday" people in order to understand how and why they have struggled against disproportionate exposure to pollution, government or corporate usurpation of life sustaining resources, or the loss of a home due to climate change. Course readings and discussions will use historical examples to understand connections between "social" problems such as racism and "environmental" problems such as climate change. We will evaluate how social identities, political ideologies, and ecological contexts have influenced the ideas and actions of environmental justice activists. Class discussions, short, written responses to readings, and a final project will encourage students to engage in critical analysis of environmental justice and self-reflect on their individual and collective responsibilities. This course meets the Dietrich Gen Ed "Perspectives on Justice and Injustice" requirement.