Time Schedule:
Eugene N. Anderson
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
Politics and environment, in classic social science thought and in contemporary anthropology. This will includenot only the above problem areas, but also special attention to traditional small-scale communties, their ways of managing their environments, and their problems and possibilities in the contemporary world.
Student learning goals
Develop familiarity with classic and contemporary social theory as it relates to environments and environmental policy.
See how biology and human political ideas and action interact.
Further your understanding of environmental politics and how politics in general shapes environmental management.
Learn, or continue learning, how to write an analytic book review.
Learn, or continue learning, how to write a research paper on local environmental problems.
Further your understanding of resource management as an area of social action.
General method of instruction
Lectures, discussion, readings, and a good deal of writing.
Recommended preparation
Introductory-level course in sociocultural anthropology or closely related social science required. Some background in sociology and political science would help. Some familiarity with basic biology is assumed.
Class assignments and grading
Four book reviews, of the four books required for the course; these count as the "exams." Two are due at midterm time and are considered a take-home midterm. Two are due at the time of the final and count as take-home final. Also, a short research paper on a local environmental problem of your choosing. Detailed descriptions of what is wanted will be provided in class.
Quality, originality, and level of your own creative thought put into the writings. Also, some attention to attendance and participation. Each book review worth 15 points Research paper 30 points Attendance and participation 10 points Total 100.
