Transcript title

Sociology of the Environment

Credits

4

Grading mode

Standard letter grades

Total contact hours

40

Lecture hours

40

Recommended preparation

SOC 201 and WR 121Z.

Course Description

Applies sociological concepts and theories to the examination of the relationship between humans, communities, and the environment. Explores structural and cultural causes and consequences of various social and environmental problems.

Course learning outcomes

1. Analyze social, cultural, and structural influences on the social and physical environment.
2. Examine relationships between systems of social inequality and power and the social and physical environment.
3. Examine environmental social movements and social policies.
4. Explain the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems in the context of sociology.

Content outline

1. Exploration of sociological perspectives as related to the social and physical environment.
2. Use the sociological imagination to describe relationships between social and physical systems.
3. Explore various concepts and theories related to environmental sociology.  Such terms include colonialism, economic exploitation, political economy, the treadmill of production, global stratification, economic and political power, and environmental racism and classism.
4. Examine sociological theories of social movements and their application to national and global environmental social movements past and present.
5. Examine impacts of the social environment on communities and the human experience. 

Required materials

Required textbook

General education/Related instruction lists

• Social Science