Summer 2017
SOCIOLOGY 201C
5 Credits (I&S) : SLN 13511
Monday/Wednesday 1:20-3:20
SOCIETY AND
THE ENVIRONMENT

How are environmental
problems socially
constructed?

How do environmental
dangers map onto systems of
social stratification?

What do we know about
effects of a individual choices
(e.g. consumer and material
decisions) on broader
environmental issues? What
do we know about the
efficacy of collective
environmental actions?
Human beings have always interacted with nature, both changing and being
changed by it in return. However, in our modern age, this relationship has undergone a fundamental shift as populations have discovered their
ability to alter nature in new and sometimes irreversible ways. In this course
students will learn how our new period in human history challenges notions
about the very nature of nature itself as well as the role and responsibility
of societies embedded within various environmental contexts. Drawing
on environmental sociology, history, and geography this course will explore
the ways in which modern environmental problems emerged, how various
social inequalities are perpetuated and exacerbated by their specific
environments, and potential solutions to the most pressing environmental
challenges of our time.
For more info, contact Instructor Victoria Sass
Email: [email protected]