Social Thought & Polic. Econ 492H - STPEC Focus Seminar II

Open to Senior and Junior STPEC majors only. STPEC 391H Topic Title: Fighting the Climate Crisis
Carbon pollution represents violence on a greater scale than anything humanity has ever seen: it literally threatens the existence of organized human societies. Yet leaders in business and government are not taking the necessary action, and many of them are actively making things worse. Ending the climate emergency depends on our ability to take collective action that forces polluters and their accomplices to slash emissions. How has the climate movement been taking action, and with what impact? How can the historical experiences of other social movements inform the climate movement?s strategy? What is the relationship between stopping global heating and fighting white supremacy, class exploitation, imperialism, patriarchy, and other forms of oppression? How can we simultaneously fight the climate crisis and build alternative institutions that promote equity, solidarity, and sustainability? This seminar explores these questions with the aim of preparing us to confront the climate emergency through informed, collective action. Students will have the option of either working in a local climate organization or conducting a research project related to the course theme.