Environmental Sociology - American Sociological Association

ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY
Sociology 665
Cliff Brown
University of New Hampshire
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Environmental factors always shape social phenomena, and human societies
inevitably alter the natural environment. For instance, reliance on automobiles and fossil fuels in the
United States has encouraged patterns of employment and residence that simply did not exist one hundred
years ago. However, long-distance commuting and suburban development involve environmental costs
and introduce new social problems. In the last thirty years, a growing number of sociologists have
recognized the important linkages between the natural and social worlds; the field of environmental
sociology attempts to integrate these connections systematically into social science research.
This course examines the relationships between human societies, biological ecosystems, and the physical
environment. Major topic areas include the dynamics of social and environmental change; state policy
and regulation; environmental constraints on human communities; population and economic growth;
community mobilization and social movements; and inequalities in environmental risk. The course has
four primary objectives. The first objective is to introduce students to the research in environmental
sociology and to emphasize how a sociological perspective can inform our understanding of changes in
the natural world. Although environmental sociology encompasses a large and growing literature, the
course will focus upon several prominent works and will introduce students to the fundamental issues and
debates in the field. The second objective is to promote students’ ability to evaluate the existing research
and to understand its implications. Class discussions, lectures, writing assignments, and the final paper
will all help in the realization of this goal. The third objective is to promote the development of a global
perspective on environmental issues. Just as processes of environmental and social change are linked,
developments originating in isolated regions often have worldwide implications. Conversely, global
trends are often particularly manifest in specific locales. This course will attempt to make those critical
connections evident. The fourth and final objective is to enhance students’ writing and research abilities.
Toward this end, each student in the course will complete regular writing assignments and a major
research paper.
READINGS: The following texts are available at the Durham Book Exchange and the University
Bookstore. All readings should be completed by the class session for which they are assigned. Readings
for February 19 must be purchased from Durham Copy at 54 Main Street.
Bullard, Robert D. 2000. Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality (3rd edition).
Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press. ISBN 0-8133-6792-1
Brown, Phil, and Edwin J. Mikkelsen. 1997. No Safe Place: Toxic Waste, Leukemia, and Community
Action. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press. ISBN: 0-520-21248-7
Foster, John Bellamy. 1999. The Vulnerable Planet: A Short Economic History of the Environment.
New York: Monthly Review Press. ISBN 1-58367-019-X
Humphrey, Craig R., Tammy L. Lewis, and Frederick H. Buttel. 2002. Environment, Energy, and
Society: A New Synthesis. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth. ISBN 0-534-57955-8
Reading packet available at Durham Copy
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