Time Schedule:
Devon G Pena
ANTH 459
Seattle Campus
Critical studies of class, gender and race differences in environmental politics. The political-economic dimensions of ecological change. Contemporary environmental movements including the varieties of bioregionalism, deep ecology, ecofeminism, ecosocialism, environmental justice, and social ecology. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 459.
Class description
Critical studies of race, class, and gender differences in environmental politics. The political-economic dimensions of ecological change. Contemporary environmental movements including the varieties of bioregionalism, deep ecology, ecofeminism, ecosocialism, environmental justice, and social ecology.
Student learning goals
Familiarity with and critical engagement with the diverse theoretical and epistemological discourses that intersect with the interdisciplinary study of political ecology.
Ability to analyze and critique various "schools" of conservation theory by drawing from the methods and theories of environmental anthropology.
Ability to develop your own novel theories of conservation that challenge conservation orthodoxy from the vantages of indigenous and place-based communities and other differently located subjectivies
Learn how to organize a critical review of the literature and an annotated bibliography.
Understand the critical role of science in the politics of environmental management and conservation.
Ability to recognize and value alter/native rationalities that cannot be reduced to govermentality projects or systems based on individual actor models of rational choice theory.
General method of instruction
Seminar discussions led by students assigned the role of reviewing and criticizing specific readings.
Recommended preparation
Willingness to do a lot of reading, thinking, and writing. Good citizenship in the classroom with an openness to the truth claims of others.
Class assignments and grading
1. Three review essays on selected books from the course readings. 2. Synthesis paper based on the critical review and the students own additional readings. 3. Annotated bibliography in a given theme related to political ecology. 4. Lead a class discussion of assigned reading.
1. Review essays = 10 points each for a total of 30 points. 2. Synthesis paper = 30 points 3. Annotated bibliography = 40 points 4. Class discussion assignment = 20 points 5. Participation in course discussion board. Total points for a 4.0 GPA score is 100.
