EST 390: Social Processes and the Environment

Spring 2008

5:00 to 6:20 T, Th (First class January 15, 2008)

 

Instructor: Jack Manno, Associate Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies

211A Marshall, 470-6816, jpmanno@esf.edu

 

Weekly Office hours

Wednesdays 3-4:30 pm, Thursdays. 9-10 or by appointment.

 

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

- apply principles derived from ecological theory to help explain social processes;

- apply principles derived from social theory to help explain environmental processes,

- explain the history of the discipline of environmental sociology,

- present and explain a typology of research areas of environmental sociology

- understand and provide examples of the social construction of meaning and the ways it affects how people interact with the environment,

- use interdisciplinary tools and models to formulate social science questions and approaches to research,

- carry out undergraduate level research using one or more social science research methods,

- recognize and describe alternative or competing paradigms for understanding the relationship between society and environment

- understand and describe social conflict and cooperation at the level of individuals, groups and societies in the effort to manage scarce resources.

- understand the influence of important social theorists (especially Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber) and apply their theories to analyze social processes and the environment.

 

Rationale and Overview of the Course

Human beings live in groups, in communities and always have. We cooperate in our interactions with Nature to obtain what we need to survive and hopefully to thrive. Since they are sometimes scarce we also compete for resources with each other in our groups and between groups. These are the two fundamental forms of human interaction, the basic social processes of cooperation and competition. Social processes are about individual and group survival and reproduction and are therefore necessarily biological but the forms in which they are experienced are also determined by cultural values, social stratification, and power. These four classes of phenomenon — biophysical conditions, culture, social stratification and power — form the primary variables by which we will attempt to understand the relationship between social processes and the environment.

 

Course Requirements

This is a participatory course. It is designed to engage you personally. My belief as an instructor is that learning happens best when it is directly related to your life, goals and interests. Students will be asked to do personal exploration into their role as participants in social processes as citizens and consumers and participants in a variety of social processes. Some times we will meet in groups of three or four for listening and learning (L & L) sessions. You will be asked to respond to one or more questions and take turns expressing your thoughts on the question(s). You will also at times be asked to respond to the question in writing (no more than 1 page) to be emailed to me before the next class. There are no correct answers to the L & L questions, only more or less thoughtful responses.

Students are required to write a research paper using one or more social science research methods we will introduce in class. It is recommended that students do this paper in association with a service learning project. Guidelines for the research and service projects will be discussed and handed out in class. Paper topics must be approved by Professor Manno in advance. See dates below. Students will also be required to submit a short report on a book or journal article of social theory by either Durkheim, Weber or Marx or a social theorist of your choice. Guidelines will be available in class.

Readings are grouped into topics to be covered over the span of three class periods. I expect that for the first class you will have lightly read all the assigned readings for the section. For the second class you will come to class with questions from the readings. These will handed in for each 2nd class. After each 2nd class you will have a take home exam. By the third class you should be prepared to actively participate in class exercises and discussions.

There will be several take-home quizzes. There will be a take-home final exam and no mid-term.

 

Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America

On January 31 ESF and SU are holding a day-long “teach-in” on Climate Change. Students will be required to attend at least one of the sessions in lieu of class that day, preferably the entire day. Visit http://enspire.syr.edu/FTN/ for schedule and more information.

 

Expectations

I expect that you will:

- be at every class session (unless excused in advance) on time,

- be active listeners to whoever is speaking,

- complete reading assignments prior to class,

- complete and turn in writing assignments on time,

- be active learners and teachers as exhibited through thoughtful participation by asking questions and contributing thoughtfully to classroom discussion,

- treat each other and the instructor with courtesy and respect.

You should expect me:

- to serve as a facilitator of learning for you collectively and individually,

- to come to class prepared,

- to be accessible outside class time, and to serve as an effective consultant to the student in their learning,

- to assist students in finding additional resources when needed to reach the expected learning outcomes.

 

Textbooks

The textbooks will be available at Follett's Orange Bookstore in Marshall Square Mall and the University Bookstore at the Schine Student Center

Environment, Energy and Society: A New Synthesis, by Humphrey, Lewis and Buttel, Wadsworth, 2002.(Synthesis)

Environment, Energy and Society: Exemplary Works, edited by Humphrey, Lewis and Buttel, Wadsworth, 2002 (Works)

Confronting Consumption edited by Princen, Maniates and Conca, MIT Press, 2002 (Consumption)

 

Teaching Assistants

Hang Ryeol Na

- Office hours: Thursday 2-4pm, B5 Marshall

- email: nhr24@hotmail.com

Jaehyuck Choi

- Office hours: Monday 2-4 pm, 414 Marshall

- email: jhchoi@syr.edu  

 

Grading

Final grades will be calculated as follows:

- L & L session written responses: 10%

- Participation and attendance: 15%

- Term project: 30%

- Book/article report 10%

- Quizzes 35%

 

Extra Credit Opportunities

There will be a number of opportunities to attend events, seminars and lectures related to Environment and Society and write a reflection (no more than 1 page). Professor Manno will announce extra credit opportunities. You may make suggestions for extra credit opportunities.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Date	Topic	Reading
1/15	Introduction to Ecology and Society	Review of Syllabus
1/17 & 22	The Ecology of Social Processes	Synthesis p.19- 33, plus E. Odum, Great Ideas in Ecology for the 1990’s, Schnaiberg The Social Problems of the Environment (hand-outs)
1/24	Energy and Climate Lecture	Synthesis, Ch. 5; Works, Articles. 13 & 14 Take Home Quiz 1
1/29	Energy & Climate II	Synthesis, Ch. 5; Works, Articles. 13 & 14
1/31	Focus the Nation	http://enspire.syr.edu/FTN/
2/5	Energy & climate III	Synthesis, Ch. 5; Works, Articles. 13 & 14
2/7	Social research methods
2/12	Social Theory & the Environment	Synthesis Ch. 2, Works, Articles 4. 5. 6
2/14	Social Theory II	Synthesis Ch. 2, Works, Articles 4. 5. 6, Quiz 2
2/19	Theory III	Synthesis Ch. 2, Works, Articles 4. 5. 6,
2/21	Consumption & Commoditization	Consumption pp. 21-67
2/26	Consumption & Commoditization	Consumption pp. 21-67 Quiz 3
2/28	Planning for Term Paper	No reading. Come to class prepared to discuss your term paper project.
3/4	Consumption & Commoditization III	Consumption pp. 21-67
3/6	Population and the Environment	Synthesis, Ch. 3 Paper and Book/Article Proposals Due.
3/8-16	Spring Break
3/18	Population and the Environment II	Works, Articles 7, 8 & 9 Take Home Quiz 4
3/20	Population & Environment III	Works, Articles 7, 8 & 9
3/25	The Struggle over Hunger	Synthesis Ch. 4, , Works Articles 10, 11, 12
3/27	The Struggle over Hunger	Synthesis Ch. 4, , Works Articles 10, 11, 12, Take Home Quiz 5
4/1	Hunger III	Synthesis Ch. 4, , Works Articles 10, 11, 12
4/3	Sustainable Development	Synthesis Ch. 6, Works Articles 19 - 21
4/8	Sustainable Development	Synthesis Ch. 6, Works Articles 19 – 21 Quiz 6
4/10	Sustainable development III	Synthesis Ch. 6, Works Articles 19 – 21
4/17	Environmental sociology & environmental future	Synthesis Ch. 7, Articles 22 & 23
4/17	Environmental sociology & environmental future	Synthesis Ch. 7, Articles 22 & 23, Take Home Quiz 7
4/22	Environmental sociology & environmental future III	Synthesis Ch. 7, Articles 22 & 23
4/24	TBD, possible presentations
4/29	Summary	Take Home Final Quiz