FSS:SOC165 Introduction to Environ. soc. - Course Information

SOC165 Introduction to Environmental Sociology

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 12 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Benjamin Jeremiah Vail, Ph.D., M.Sc. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

doc. PhDr. Ing. Radim Marada, Ph.D.
Division of Sociology – Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Division of Sociology – Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies

Timetable

Mon 10:00–11:40 U32

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 30 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

This course introduces many of the major schools of thought and topics of research in the field of environmental sociology, and presents a historical overview of the development of environmental sociological theory and research over time.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

- Recall and relate fundamental theories related to social-environmental interactions
- Identify and explain major contemporary and historical environmental issues
- Analyze the significance of environmental issues in their daily lives
- Critically examine contemporary debates about environmental policy

Syllabus

• The course is organized as a series of weekly topics which include lectures, required reading, and some required videos and other multimedia.
• The weekly topics include:
• 1. Introduction to Environmental Sociology
• 2. Consumption, Materialism, and Modern Society
• 3. The Treadmill of Production
• 4. Sustainability
• 5. Health, Environmental justice, and Risk
• 6. Ideologies of Environmental Domination
• 7. Ideologies of Environmental Concern
• 8. Sociology of Food
• 9. The Social Construction of Nature
• 10. Sociological Perspectives on Global Climate Change
• 11. Energy and Society
• 12. Environmental Problems and Solutions
• Literature
• The two core textbooks are:
• 1. Bell, M.M. 2011. An Introduction to Environmental Sociology. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
• 2. Harper, Charles L.2012. Environment and Society: Human Perspectives on Environmental Issues. 5th ed. New York: Pearson.
• These texts are supplemented with other literature and films. Check the Interactive Syllabus for the weekly assigned literature and videos.

Literature

required literature
• BELL, Michael and Michael S. CAROLAN. An invitation to environmental sociology. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Pine Forge Press, 2012, xiii, 384. ISBN 9781412990530. info

Teaching methods

The course is taught as a normal classroom lecture course. The pedagogical approach includes the use of weekly lectures, required reading and other resources, and films and other multi-media presentations.

Assessment methods

Each week, participation in this course typically involves attending the lecture and reading or watching the required study materials which include literature and videos.

Students will receive a final letter grade (A-F) for the semester based on the following components:

40% – Mid-term exam
60% – Final exam

Using the MU Information System
Class resources are available to students through Masaryk University’s online Information System (IS). Under the course title “SOC165: Introduction to Environmental Sociology” you will find an interactive syllabus which contains important general information about the course and the weekly schedule with links to required course materials.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
General note: for bachelor students from all dpt and faculties at MU inculing exchange students.

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2012, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2012/SOC165