Time Schedule:
Douglas Mercer
GEOG 270
Seattle Campus
Considers the meaning of development and how debates over international development link to environmental concerns. Examines how the globalization of agricultural production and debates over genetically modified food alter ideas about development, nature, and the environment. Addresses fair trade policies and practices and the obligations of multinational corporations. Offered: A.
Class description
This course is about the cultural politics of consumption. Environmentalism’s incarnation as a corrective to environmentally destructive production spawned a host of legislation at local to national levels dating early in the 20th century. In the 1970s environmentalism globalized with the unfortunate wedding of wealthy nations’ xenophobia about burgeoning poor populations with little self-reflection of consumption as a driver of environmental decline itself. Debates about consumption play out across an ideological divide between those who believe governments have an important role in ameliorating environmental problems and those who believe that private markets can solve environmental problems. The cultural politics of consumption now encourage us to take personal responsibility for our consumption. Will that solve the consumption problem?
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures and in-class discussions.
Recommended preparation
Basic skills in conducting environmentally related research using a range of information resources including WWW, popular press, and peer reviewed publications.
Class assignments and grading
Response Papers on readings. Case study research. Final paper is integrating case study research with concepts from readings.
Response papers (5) 30% Section assignments and participation 15% Research (group) 20% Peer/TA evaluations Presentations Quizzes (3) 15% Final Paper 20%
