Environmental Sociology

Catalog description

This course covers topics on environmental sociology with an emphasis on global phenomena and “big picture” analysis, combined with local, individual and community-level action. Key topics of analysis include capitalism, climate change, and the global treadmill of production under neoliberalism; displacement and migration due to adverse effects of climate change in the Global South; environmental racism; enlightenment epistemologies versus Indigenous knowledges about the natural world; eco-socialism and eco-feminism. Readings, texts and theories will emphasize these big picture concepts, while students complete independent projects and assignments that develop individual- and community- level initiatives to help address these macro, global-level problems. Satisfies Sociology major requirement. Satisfies Environmental Studies major requirement. Satisfies Social-Scientific Thought requirement. Satisfies Justice, Equality, and Community requirement.