Course Title: Environmental Justice: Global Perspectives and American Case Studies
Course Description:
“Environmental Justice: Global Perspectives and American Case Studies” is an online course that examines the intersection of environmental issues, social justice, and human rights from a global perspective with a specific focus on environmental injustices in the United States. Through weekly online lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, multimedia presentations, and virtual field experiences, students will explore the root causes, impacts, and responses to environmental injustices around the world and in American communities.
Course Objectives:
Understand Environmental Justice: Gain a comprehensive understanding of environmental justice principles, including the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, the recognition of environmental rights, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Explore Global Environmental Injustices: Examine environmental injustices and disparities in access to clean air, water, and land resources across different regions of the world, with a focus on environmental racism, colonial legacies, and global environmental governance.
Analyze American Case Studies: Investigate historical and contemporary case studies of environmental injustice in the United States, including urban pollution, industrial contamination, hazardous waste sites, resource extraction, and climate change impacts on vulnerable communities.
Assess Socioeconomic Impacts: Analyze the social, economic, and health impacts of environmental injustices on marginalized communities, including low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, indigenous peoples, and rural populations.
Examine Policy and Advocacy: Evaluate environmental justice policies, grassroots movements, legal strategies, and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing systemic environmental inequalities and promoting equitable and sustainable solutions.
Engage in Action: Participate in virtual community engagement projects, advocacy campaigns, and service-learning activities to apply environmental justice principles and promote positive change in local and global contexts.
Course Format (beginning January, 2025):
This online course will be delivered through weekly live lectures, pre-recorded video presentations, interactive discussions, multimedia resources, and virtual field experiences accessible via the online learning platform. Students will have the opportunity to engage with guest speakers, community activists, environmental justice advocates, and experts in the field.
Self-Paced Option (available anytime after June 11, 2024)
Students who want to work at their own pace can skip the online meetings and progress through the course independently. Students who choose this option will have assignments and assessments graded as usual. Teachers continue to provide assistance and feedback. Self-paced courses still qualify for credit.
Prerequisites:
No prior coursework in environmental studies or social justice is required. Students should have an interest in environmental issues, social justice, and human rights and be open to engaging in respectful dialogue and critical inquiry.
Assessment:
Assessment will be based on participation in online discussions, completion of assignments and reflections, performance on quizzes and exams, and the quality of individual and group projects. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking skills, interdisciplinary analysis, empathy, and advocacy for environmental justice.