ENV230

Society is constantly interacting with the environment, transforming landscapes, harvesting materials, disposing of wastes, and setting aside areas for preservation. In this course we step back from particular environmental issues to study conceptual approaches that frame questions of society's relationship with the environment. Why do environmental problems exist? Does climate change, for example, result from misguided ethics, too many people, unquestioned social norms, market failures, unjust development, lack of cooperation, or something else? Students investigate diverse theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain our relationship with the natural world, and critically examine underlying assumptions, strengths, and limitations of each perspective. Cross-listed with GEG-230. HBSI, Spring semester.

Human Behavior & Soc Inst (HBSI)

All Years