Politics 387EP - Advanced Topics in Politics: 'Environmental Political Thought'

The planetary systems on which human civilizations depend are increasingly under threat, forcing contemporary societies to reckon with their societies' impacts on the Earth's biosphere. "Politics as usual" has become a recipe for ecological suicide. Building sustainable societies will be this generation's defining challenge. Students in this course will examine how political thinkers throughout history have characterized humanity's place in the natural world, and how those ideas shape political beliefs, institutions and practices today. They will apply theoretical techniques to design innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems and controversies, learning how to translate ideas into actions.

This course is open to juniors and seniors; Prereq: 8 credits in Politics.