Issues in Environmental Philosophy (375-0-20)

Instructors

Kasey Owen Hettig-Rolfe

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-425: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

This course offers a deeper examination of a rapidly growing topic in environmental ethics and politics: environmental (in)justice. Together, we will critically reflect upon the questions that have shaped the contemporary discourse on environmental (in)justice. Some of the key questions that will be considered include: Is environmental injustice best understood through the lens of distributive justice alone, or must we take into account procedural justice as well? How does environmental justice relate to the values and ideals of other, more traditional forms of environmentalism? What, in turn, is its relationship—if any—to racism and other social justice issues, such as sexism and ableism? Moreover, what constitutes an environmental burden or benefit, and what is the appropriate standard for assessing ‘environmental risks' or forms of ‘exposure'? In the final section of the course, we will also reflect on how disagreement between stakeholders' moral and cultural standpoints complicates both the recognition and reparation of environmental injustices.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Ethics & Values Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration restricted to Undergraduate students only