PSCI 2210 Environmental Politics

PSCI 2210: Environmental Politics

Description

Environmental Politics examines the political nature of environmental problems and surveys American political institutions and public policies that deal with these problems. The course will also assess and critique current environmental policies. While the major emphasis will be national environmental concerns, certain local and global environmental problems will also be addressed.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

STSK 0095 or placement by multiple measures

Corequisite

None

Topics to be Covered

1. Introduction

2. Historical Framework for Environmental Protection

3. Participants in the Environmental Debate

4. The Political Process

5. The Land

6. The Water

7. The Air

8. Globalized Environmental Issues

9. Environmental Issues and Policies for 2000 and Beyond

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop fundamental definitions, concepts and principles of political science.

2. Develop fundamental definitions, concepts and principles of environmental science.

3. Understand basic components, institutions and groups involved in the political process, especially in terms of environmental issues.

4. Develop a critical attitude toward the political process in order to become a more informed participant and responsible citizen.

5. Analyze various methods of collecting and analyzing data such as public opinion polls, charts and graphs.

6. Relate broad political concepts and developments to particular environmental issues.

7. Evaluate the functioning of the American political system in terms of its addressing concerns in the environmental area.

8. Evaluate critically the alternatives for change within the political system and/or need for alteration of environmental issues.

9. Discuss both orally and in writing, theories, relationships and concepts in political science and environmental science.

10. Analyze the impact of such forces as nationalism, multiculturalism, pluralism and gender on the political process in the contemporary world.

11. Analyze the environmental movement in terms of human diversity.

Credit Details

Lecture: 3

Lab: 0

OJT: 0

MnTC Goal Area(s): Goal Area 05 - History and Behavioral Sciences, Goal Area 10 - People and the Environment

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goal Area(s) and Competencies

Goal Area 05: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

1. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.

2. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

3. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.

4. Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Goal Area 10: People and the Environment

1. Explain the basic structure and function of various natural ecosystems and of human adaptive strategies within those systems.

2. Discern patterns and interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems.

3. Describe the basic institutional arrangements (social, legal, political, economic, religious) that are evolving to deal with environmental and natural resource challenges.

4. Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.

5. Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.

6. Articulate and defend the actions they would take on various environmental issues.