AES 498A/ANTH 469E, Winter 2004
Cultures and Politics of Environmental Justice

Syllabus

Course Description

A comparative survey of the history and politics of environmental justice movements in the U.S, and other parts of the world with a focus on the methods and materials used in the study of environmental racism, environmental risk, and sustainable development. This will include consideration of debates over the politics of environmental risk and environmental impact assessment, the fate of Title VI litigation, the emergence of autonomy-based strategies, and the problematic of environmental sustainability and social justice.

Grading Policy

1. Attendance and participation in class discussions.


2. Four thought pieces on the readings (25 points each for 100 points). See instructions for these assignments (attached).


3. Participation in EPosts (bonus points added to final grade based on quantity and quality of participation).

Required Readings

COURSE TEXTBOOKS.

1. Adamson, J. et al. 2002. The environmental justice reader: politics, poetics, and pedagogy. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.


2. Agyeman, J. et al. 2003. Just sustainabilities: development in an unequal world. London: Earthscan.


3. Boyce, J. and B, Shelley. 2003. Natural assets: democratizing environmental ownership. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.


4. Faber, D. 1998. The struggle for ecological democracy. New York: Guilford.


5. Mutz, K. et al. 2002. Justice and natural resources: concepts, strategies, applications. Washington D.C.: Island Press.


6. Rechtschaffen, C. and E. Gauna. 2002. Environmental justice: law, policy, and regulation. Durham: Carolina Academic Press.


NOTE: Additional readings will be distributed via email, photocopies, or electronic reserves.