Political Ecology (382-0-20)
Instructors
Melissa Rosenzweig
1812 Hinman #304
Office Hours: Mondays, 1:00 – 3:00 pm or by appointment. Room 304, 1812 Hinman
Melissa Rosenzweig is an anthropological archaeologist specializing in environmental archaeology of the ancient Near East. Her research incorporates regional specialization in northern Mesopotamia and the Levant, methodological expertise in archaeobotany, and theoretical specialization in human-environment interactions.
Meeting Info
ANTHRO Sem Rm 104 - 1810 Hinmn: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
This class is an introduction to political ecology, a multidisciplinary body of theory and research that analyzes the environmental articulations of political, economic, and social difference and inequality. The key concepts, debates, and approaches in this field address two main questions: (1) How do humans' interactions with the environment shape power and politics? (2) How do power and politics shape humans' interactions with the environment? These questions are critical to understanding and addressing the current issues of climate change, neoliberal capitalism, and environmental justice. Topics discussed in this class will include environmental scarcity and degradation, sustainability, resilience and conservation. Readings will come from a variety of disciplines within the social sciences and humanities. Case studies will range from the historical to the present-day. No prior background in the environmental sciences is needed to appreciate and engage in this course.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Articulate key issues in political ecology.
• Assess the roles of power, inequality and injustice in human-environment relationships.
• Apply perspectives in political ecology to important environmental debates (e.g. scarcity and security, the construction of nature, conservation policy, etc.).
• Use political ecology to evaluate real world problems in their environmental, historical, political, and social contexts.
• Write, speak and communicate clearly about environmental politics.
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area