Environmental problems make headlines every day. How can we help to develop participatory citizens who understand the complex scientific and social issues behind the headlines, make informed decisions, and meet these environmental challenges? The Urban Environment will help you to gain the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions regarding the environment and the earth’s future. We will look at the global environment through a socio-ecological justice framework. A socio-ecological justice framework highlights the links between our current political economy and modern state and the “myriad environmental problems for human and nonhuman communities all over the globe” (Gruenewald, 2004). This framework highlights the ways in which environmental crises are inseparable from social crises and are often experienced differently by different social groups. By the end of this course you will have a better understanding of the connections between such varied topics as pollution, deforestation, climate change, food production, soil depletion, economics, biodiversity, inequality, urbanization, and social justice. The course stresses a systems approach in evaluating problems and potential solutions as well as an understanding of the critical role of power and privilege in many of the environmental challenges facing the world. The second half of the semester we will zoom in on our lived experiences where we will conduct collective participatory research using Photovoice to unpack and deconstruct our relationship to our neighborhoods and communities with a specific focus on equity and action. My educational philosophy is not to stand up in the front of the room and lecture to you. I strongly believe that you all have much to contribute to this class and I will expect that you take full responsibility for your individual and our collective learning. Your participation in daily journal reflections, class discussions, and our course blog will be places for you to engage and dialogue with one another and the course readings.
Course Guiding Questions
How is our current way of life/society tied to the earth both directly and indirectly?
Do we accept things (the structures in society including political, cultural, economic, educational, religious systems) as they are or as changeable?
How do you define the dominant culture(s) in society today and how do these dominant culture(s) impact/affect people and places, humans and habitat? Is this impact equal for all people?
What are our responsibilities as citizens today? How are we being prepared to think about our role in the global economy? Our role in ensuring a sustainable future?
What are the cultural and ecological conflicts that come from a preparation of young people to participate in the global economy?
What are the purposes of education/schooling in the larger arena of cultural and ecological conflict?
How does change happen? Can one person make a difference?
What does it mean to be critical? Thinking about what it means to be critical - problematize the taken for granted assumptions and unjust outcomes of conventional education and cultural practices