Special Topics in Environmental Policy and Culture (390-0-26)

Topic

U.S. Environmental Politics

Instructors

Elizabeth L Thom

Meeting Info

Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

U.S. Environmental Politics

This course explores the political institutions that govern the interactions between humans and the natural environment in the United States. The goal of the course is to provide an overview of the major concepts and theoretical frameworks in political science that help us make sense of how environmental problems emerge and how we might address them. We will cover theories of collective action, distributive politics, interest group politics, and social movements, along with the role of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in formulating and implementing environmental policy. We will apply these theories to key issue areas such as energy production, pollution, natural resources, and land use, as well as to emerging technologies with environmental implications, such as AI data centers.

The course consists of lectures, interactive in-class exercises, and discussion sections. The lectures will introduce students to foundational concepts in environmental politics, provide historical and contemporary background on the contours of environmental policy debates, and review the institutions involved in adjudicating them. In-class exercises and discussion sections will give students a chance to explore, collaborate, and dig deeper into readings and case studies.

Registration Requirements

Recommended: POLI_SCI 220-0 American Government and Politics

Learning Objectives

The main objective of the course is for students to advance their analytical and critical thinking skills through the study of environmental problems and solutions. By the end of the quarter, students will improve their ability to:

Identify the main actors and institutions involved in environmental politics and policy.
Interrogate the strengths and limitations of different theoretical approaches for understanding a range of environmental issue areas.
Evaluate the dynamics of the U.S. political system that enable or constrain it from addressing environmental problems.
Read academic scholarship, synthesize research findings, and analyze them critically.

Teaching Method

Lecture with discussion section (depending on enrollment size).

Evaluation Method

Midterm exam, final exam, in-class exercises.

Associated Classes

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Wed 4:00PM - 4:50PM

DIS - Harris Hall L05: Wed 5:00PM - 5:50PM