POLI 3385

Politics of the Environment

Lec 01 selected

This course examines competing perspectives on the political, social, and economic forces driving environmental degradation, as well as differing visions of the types of political change required for ecological sustainability. Topics include: competing perspectives on ideas of limits to growth and sustainable development; the links between poverty, North-South inequality, and environmental degradation; population growth; the promise and limits of technological solutions; consumerism and ecological degradation; market-based environmentalism; ecological modernization; and ecological critiques of capitalism.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Fall 2023 syllabus by Patricia Dias. Fall 2026 is taught by Hayden A., so details may differ. Open the PDF

Grading

10%Attendance and participationWeekly
10%Quizzes (2)
25%Midterm examTake-home; distributed Oct 6, due Oct 17
30%Research paperAbstract and final paper
25%Final examCumulative; scheduled Dec 8–19

Textbook

  • Politics of the Earth: Environmental Discourses (4th edition), John S. Dryzek

Course rules

Late work
Late assignments lose 10% credit for each week of delay.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend every class unless ill.
Generative tools
Generative writing tools, including ChatGPT, Google Translate, and QuillBot, are not permitted.
Class recording
Ask the instructor for permission before making your own audio recording.

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