Successful completion of this course will provide the following learning outcomes:

A basic understanding of socio-ecological processes that influence global patterns of environmental degradation, environmental justice, and neoliberal environmental governance.

An understating of the ways that environmental governance operates within capitalist, neoliberal, patriarchal, colonial, heteronormative, and racialized contexts.

An appreciation of the role of critical social theory in understanding various environmental narratives, including neo-liberal, feminist, critical race, and indigenous perspectives.

A firm foundation from which to engage in a variety of types of research/practice situated at the intersection of social theory and nature from a critical thinking perspective.

Communicate effectively through writing. This is met by a series of writing assignments associated with class readings and the student’s personal interests in the environment.

Communicate effectively through speech. This is met by oral presentations, discussion leading, and classroom participation.

Critical Thinking is central to the learning objectives of this class, and is developed through reading assignments, classroom discussion, and essay writing.

Foundations in Social Theory of Nature
Political Ecology and Science Studies
Race and Nature
De-colonial and Indigenous Natures
Feminism and the Environment 
Environmental Justice
Case Studies: Water, Climate Change, Urbanization, Housing, Conservation, Energy