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Abstract/Syllabus:
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Walley, Christine, 21A.342 Environmental Struggles, Fall 2004. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 07 Jul, 2010). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Images of Three Mile Island, industrial wetlands and Calumet Region. ("Film still from Containment - Life After Three Mile Island" courtesy of Chris Boebel, Nick Poppy, and Christine Walley. "Industrial wetlands in Indiana's Calumet Region" and "Protesting landfills in South Chicago" courtesy of Christine Walley.)
Course Highlights
This course features an extensive reading list and detailed assignments.
Course Description
This class explores the interrelationship between humans and natural environments. It does so by focusing on conflict over access to and use of the environment as well as ideas about "nature" in various parts of the world.
Syllabus
Description
This class explores the interrelationship between humans and natural environments. It does so by focusing on conflict over access to and use of the environment as well as ideas about "nature" in various parts of the world. The readings and films shown in this course will consider environmental conflict in relation to land rights, hunting and fishing practices, environmental regulations, environmental knowledge (whether scientific or popular knowledge) and hazardous waste. These materials suggest the social, economic, political and environmental stakes of such struggles for both human actors and for the environments in which they live. After beginning with a cultural exploration of ideas of "nature" within European thought, this class draws upon a series of ethnographic and historical studies of environmental conflict in East Africa, South Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and North America.
Class Requirements
Class attendance is mandatory and attendance will be taken. Missing more than one class without the permission of the class instructor will result in a lower grade. Written requirements: one 3-5 page paper due one day after Lec #5; one 5-7 page paper due one day after Lec #9; two 5 page essay questions (total 10 pages) due one day after Lec #12.
Grading
Table for Grading
| First Paper (3-5 pages) |
20% |
| Second Paper (5 pages) |
30% |
| Final Paper (2 Essay Questions) |
40% |
| Class Participation |
10% |
Calendar
Table for Calendar
| 1 |
Introduction |
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| Part 1 - Ideas of "Nature" |
| 2 |
The Power of "Nature" |
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| 3 |
Various Ideas of Nature in European Thought |
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| 4 |
Tensions and Affinities Between European and Non-European Ideas of Nature |
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| 5 |
Tensions and Affinities Between European and Non-European Ideas of Nature (cont.) |
Paper due one day after Lec #5 |
| Part 2 - Environments |
| 6 |
Doing Fieldwork on Environmental Issues |
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| 7 |
The Sea |
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| 8 |
The Land |
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| 9 |
The Forests |
Paper due one day after Lec #9 |
| Part 3 - Debates over Science and Technology |
| 10 |
Nuclear Technologies |
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| 11 |
Toxic Pollutants |
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| 12 |
Conclusion |
Final papers due one day after Lec #12 |
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Further Reading:
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Readings
Table for Readings
| 1 |
Introduction |
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| Part 1 - Ideas of "Nature" |
| 2 |
The Power of "Nature" |
Readings
Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. New York: Anchor Books, 1997. ISBN: 0385486804.
Films
Kirosawa, Akira, dir. First half of Dersu Uzala. |
| 3 |
Various Ideas of Nature in European Thought |
Readings
Worster, Donald. "Preface," and "Selections about Linneaus, Thoreau, and Darwin." In Nature's Economy: A History of Ecological Ideas. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994. pp. 26-129, 145-187. ISBN: 0521468345.
Films
Kirosawa, Akira, dir. Second half of Dersu Uzala. |
| 4 |
Tensions and Affinities Between European and Non-European Ideas of Nature |
Readings
Cronon, William. Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England. New York: Hill and Wang, 1983. pp. 1-107. ISBN: 08909001586.
Films
Anderson, Robin and Connolly, Bob, dirs. Black Harvest. |
| 5 |
Tensions and Affinities Between European and Non-European Ideas of Nature (cont.) |
Readings
Cronon, William. Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England. New York: Hill and Wang, 1983. pp. 108-170. ISBN: 08909001586. |
| Part 2 - Environments |
| 6 |
Doing Fieldwork on Environmental Issues |
Readings
Walley, Christine. Rough Waters: Nature and Development in an East African Marine Park. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2004. pp. 1-137. ISBN: 0691115605.
Films
Chole Kuendeleza Maisha. (13 min.) |
| 7 |
The Sea |
Readings
Walley, Christine. Rough Waters: Nature and Development in an East African Marine Park. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2004. pp. 138-264. ISBN: 0691115605. |
| 8 |
The Land |
Readings
Gupta, Akhil. Chapters 3, and 5 in Postcolonial Developments: Agriculture in the Making of Modern India. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0822322137.
Agrawal, Bina. "The Gender and Environment Debate: Lessons from India." Feminist Studies 18, no. 1 (1992): 119-158. |
| 9 |
The Forests |
Readings
Hecht, Susanna, and Alexander Cockburn. Chapters 1-3, and 7-8 in The Fate of the Forest: Defenders of the Amazon. (Handout available for xeroxing.)
Hardin, Garrett. "The Tragedy of the Commons." Science 162, (1968): 1243-8.
Films
Walker, Christopher, dir. Trinkets and Beads. |
| Part 3 - Debates over Science and Technology |
| 10 |
Nuclear Technologies |
Readings
Petryna, Adriana. Chapter 3, 4, and 5 in Life Exposed: Biological Citizens after Chernobyl. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2002. ISBN: 069109019X.
Films
Boebel, Chris, and Nick Poppy, dirs. Containment: Life After Three Mile Island.
Recommended viewing: Devlin, Paul, dir. Power Trip. |
| 11 |
Toxic Pollutants |
Readings
Steingraber, Sandra. Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1997. ISBN: 0201483033.
Films
Helfand, Judith, and Daniel Gold, dirs. Blue Vinyl: A Toxic Comedy. |
| 12 |
Conclusion |
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Note: you will only be reading selections from Nature's Economy; Postcolonial Developments and Life Exposed.
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