Sociology 5305: Environmental Sociology
Professor
Jeffrey Broadbent Phone:
624-1828
1127
Social Science Building Office
Hours:
Department
of Sociology W 3-5PM; F 10-11AM
University
of Minnesota
E-Mail:broad001@atlas.socsci.umn.edu
Blegen
125; 12:20 to 13:10. Spring
Quarter.
Our purpose is to investigate the societal causes and cures of environmental deterioration, whatever they may be.
Requirements
This is a writing intensive course:
All papers must be typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins.
Undergraduates: biweekly reaction papers (@ 2 pages) and a term paper (10 to 15 pages).
Graduate students: biweekly reaction papers (@ 2 pages) and a longer term paper (15 to 20 pages).
Reaction papers: Four total. Summarize, discuss and
critique the previous two weeks’ readings, outlining the main points with
proper referencing. When you make a
point from one of our readings, cite author and page number in the following
form (Hannigan, 32). Add your own
critique of their ideas.
Term papers: Theme: investigate a case of human-caused environmental degradation that bears upon, and supports or knocks down, one or more of the theoretical explanations advanced in the readings. Develop a topic during the first two weeks. Hand a topic statement (1/2 page) by Friday, 4/11.
And a talking intensive course:
All students are expected to do the assigned readings
(listed under the day they are due)
and come to class prepared to join in discussion of the issues. For each class meetings, two students will
be assigned to do a joint report on the reading materials. The class will be conducted seminar-style,
with the professor setting forth a theme and basic points of information, and
then the discussion evolving from there through everyone’s informed
participation. You will also have to give an oral presentation of your term
paper during the last week of class. Your appropriate participation in class
discussion, asking good questions of others as well as stating your own
opinions, and your oral presentation will form important parts of your course
grade.
And a reading Intensive Course:
We will read four texts virtually in their entirety, plus some materials on library reserve.
Gould, Kenneth, Allan Schnaiberg and Adam
Weinberg. 1996. Local Environmental
Struggles: Citizen Activism in the Treadmill of Production. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Hannigan, John A. 1995. Environmental Sociology, A Social Constructivist Perspective. New
York: Routledge.
Harper, Charles L. 1996. Environment and Society. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Schnaiberg, Allan and Kenneth Alan Gould. 1994. Environment and Society, The Enduring
Conflict. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Week 1: What is Environmental Sociology?
Monday 3/31: Course overview.
Wednesday 4/2: Society and Nature.
Readings: Schnaiberg and Gould, Chp. 1 (3-21); Hannigan, Chp. 1 (1-31).
Friday 4/4: Attend lecture by Prof. Richard Norgaard, on sustainable development, 25 Law School.
Class topic: The scope of environmental sociology.
Readings: Harper, Chp. 2 (29-66)
Week 2: Natural Ecology and Society: Effects & Limits
Monday 4/7: The Natural Ecology.
Readings: Harper, Chp. 1 (3-28).
Wednesday 4/9: Effects on Resources and Systems.
Readings: Harper, Chp. 3 (71-107).
Friday 4/11: Effects on the Air.
Readings: Harper, Chp. 4 (109-148).
Week 3: The Perils of Success
Monday 4/14: The Population Bomb.
Readings: Harper, Chp. 5 (151-198).
RP # 1 due.
Wednesday 4/16: Our Addiction to Energy.
Readings: Harper, Chp. 6 (199-244).
Friday 4/18: The Concept of Sustainability.
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 9 (199-224); Harper,
Chp. 7 (245-288).
Week 4: How Has This Happened?
Monday 4/21: Historical overview.
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 2 (22-41).
Wednesday 4/23: A Realist, Political-Economic Viewpoint.
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 3 (43-67).
Friday 4/25: A Social-Constructionist Viewpoint.
Readings: Hannigan, Chp. 2 (32-57).
Week 5: Reading Two Explanations.
Monday 4/28: The Political-Economy Argument.
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chps. 3, 4 (43-91).
RP # 2 due.
Detailed outline of term paper due (typed, double-spaced, 2 pages).
Wednesday 4/30: The Social-Constructivist Approach.
Readings: Hannigan, Chps. 3, 4, 5 (Pp. 58-108)
Friday 5/2: Class Debate:“Which is the better explanation?”
Readings: Hannigan, Chps. 6, 7 (109-145)
Week 6: The Sociocultural.
Monday 5/5: Social institutions.
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 5 (92-116).
Wednesday 5/7: Cultural paradigms and ecofeminism.
Readings: Hannigan, Chp. 10 (178-186); Dunlap article, ecofeminism article.
Friday 5/9: A Synthetic View and the Example of Japan.
Readings: Broadbent, Chapter 1 and Appendix 1.
Week 7: Global Systems
Monday 5/12: The Developing World
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 8 (165-198)
RP # 3 due.
Wednesday 5/14: International Trade & the Environment
Readings: Harper, Chp. 10 (366-397).
Friday 5/16: Sustainable Global Development
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Epilogue (225-241).
Week 8: What is to be Done?
Monday 5/19: What Can I Do?
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 6 (119-142)
Wednesday 5/21: Government Environmental Policies
Readings: Harper, Chp. 9 (335-365)
Friday 5/23: Environmental Movements
Readings: Schnaiberg & Gould, Chp. 7 (143-164);
Harper, Chp. 8 (291-334)
Week 9: Protest and Change
Monday 5/26: Memorial Day Holiday--No class. But do readings over weekend.
Readings: Gould, et. al., Chp. 1 (1-41).
Wednesday 5/28: Movement Studies.
RP # 4 due.
Readings: Gould, et. al., Chps. 2, 3 (43-126).
Friday 5/30: Movement Studies (II)
Readings: Gould, et. al., Chps. 4, 5 (127-217).
Week 10: Student Paper Presentations all week
Monday 6/2:
Draft of term paper due to me.
Readings: no assigned readings.
Wednesday 6/4: same.
Friday 6/6: same.
Finals week
Monday 6/9: Term paper due to me.