Environmental Studies 251 - Research, Ethics, and Justice

The course is designed for students interested in learning about qualitative research on environmental issues. We will discuss the logic of qualitative social research and examine a range of methods, considering the specific advantages and limitations of different techniques. Students will also discuss ethical issues, including the challenges of conducting research in cross-cultural settings, reflect on our own underlying assumptions, motivations and values in research, and consider what it means to decolonize methodologies. The course is designed as a hands-on course in which each student will pick a research topic of interest (on an environment-society problem) and then share and discuss weekly assignments in class.

Prereq: 8 credits of social science or humanities courses.