Concentration in Environmental Ethics and Justice (Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies)

Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements ENVETJSCON

The Environmental Ethics and Justice concentration emphasizes the role of the environmental humanities and social sciences in understanding and analyzing the relationships between humans and the environments of which we are a part. Environmental ethics focuses on ethical arguments governing human interaction with the nonhuman environment and the moral status of nonhuman entities such as animals, plants, species, and ecosystems. Environmental justice studies examines the political, legal, and symbolic actions involved in equal access to a healthy environment and environmental protection, as well as the ways environmental justice advocates challenge injustices. Students in this concentration will gain familiarity with, and critically evaluate, the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary approaches to environmental ethics and environmental justice. These may include, but are not limited to: animal rights and liberation, holistic environmental approaches, religion and ecology, feminist environmental ethics, environmental justice struggles of communities, and public advocacy of climate justice. Students also will learn to apply traditional ethical theories to environmental issues, as well as environmental justice concepts about culture, identity, discourse, agency, and legal rights.

View Degree MapA semester-by-semester path to completing degree and major requirements

Requirements

The concentration requires at least 12 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

Core Courses. Two (2) courses:
- ANTH-E 318 Nature/Culture: Global Perspectives in Environmental Anthropology
- ANTH-E 444 People and Protected Areas: Theories of Conservation
- GEOG-G 341 Ecological Restoration: Science, Politics, and Ethics
- GEOG-G 449 Political Ecology
- INTL-I 428 Social Justice and the Environment (approved topic: "Environmental Justice")
- SPEA-V 424 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, JUSTICE, AND POLITICS
- SPH-O 313 WILDERNESS AND PROTECTED LANDS
- SPH-O 360 HUMAN HEALTH AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
ANTH-E 318 Nature/Culture: Global Perspectives in Environmental Anthropology

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
When we think of nature, what images come to mind? How are ideas of nature influenced by culture, history, and politics? By the end of the semester, students will recognize how environments represent a collection, not only of plants and animals, but also of meanings and relationships.
ANTH-E 444 People and Protected Areas: Theories of Conservation
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Seminar course that explores major theories and approaches to conservation, from "fortress conservation" to community-based and participatory strategies. Considers the implications of protected areas for local human populations and cultural diversity. Evaluates outcomes and unintended consequences of protected areas, and controversies over the "best" way to protect natural resources.
- Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE DUScourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 341 Ecological Restoration: Science, Politics, and Ethics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Can humans restore ecosystems and undo the environmental harm they have caused? To what state/extent should ecosystems be restored? What drives the ecological restoration movement? Investigates the deeply interconnected history, philosophy, ecology, geomorphology, and political economy of restoration through readings, discussions, and fieldwork.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 449 Political Ecology
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
An introduction to political ecology, an approach which focuses on the political-economic context of natural resource conflicts with particular attention to issues of equity, justice, and power. Covers the theoretical lineage of political ecology, its development over the last twenty years, and current hot topics in the field.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
INTL-I 428 Social Justice and the Environment

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Interdisciplinary study of comparative environmental justice issues around the world.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 12 credit hours.

SPEA-V 424 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, JUSTICE, AND POLITICS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None

SPH-O 313 WILDERNESS AND PROTECTED LANDS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None

SPH-O 360 HUMAN HEALTH AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None
Elective Courses. Two (2) courses:
- ANTH-E 318 Nature/Culture: Global Perspectives in Environmental Anthropology
- ANTH-E 444 People and Protected Areas: Theories of Conservation
- ENG-L 389 Feminist Literary and Cultural Criticism (program approval required; see academic advisor)
- ENG-R 348 Environmental Communication
- GEOG-G 315 Environmental Conservation
- GEOG-G 341 Ecological Restoration: Science, Politics, and Ethics
- GEOG-G 448 Capitalism and Nature
- GEOG-G 449 Political Ecology
- GEOG-G 461 Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
- HPSC-X 340 Scientific Methods: How Science Really Works
- HPSC-X 342 The Secret Life of Trees: Scientific, Historical, and Psychological Perspectives on Forests
- INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment
- INTL-I 428 Social Justice and the Environment (approved topic: "Environmental Justice")
- SPEA-V 424 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, JUSTICE, AND POLITICS
- SPH-O 313 WILDERNESS AND PROTECTED LANDS
- SPH-O 360 HUMAN HEALTH AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
- Independent study, readings, research, or practicum in environmental ethics and justice from any department (3 cr.) with pre-approval of the Program
ANTH-E 318 Nature/Culture: Global Perspectives in Environmental Anthropology

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
When we think of nature, what images come to mind? How are ideas of nature influenced by culture, history, and politics? By the end of the semester, students will recognize how environments represent a collection, not only of plants and animals, but also of meanings and relationships.
ANTH-E 444 People and Protected Areas: Theories of Conservation
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Seminar course that explores major theories and approaches to conservation, from "fortress conservation" to community-based and participatory strategies. Considers the implications of protected areas for local human populations and cultural diversity. Evaluates outcomes and unintended consequences of protected areas, and controversies over the "best" way to protect natural resources.
- Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE DUScourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
ENG-L 389 Feminist Literary and Cultural Criticism
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Selected critical approaches to the issue of gender over time and in various cultural settings. Topics vary, but may include feminist criticism and popular culture, the history of feminist expository prose, or deconstructionism and feminism.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
ENG-R 348 Environmental Communication
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
This class is grounded in the perspective that symbolic and natural systems are mutually constituted and therefore, the ways we communicate about and with the environment are vital to examine for a sustainable and just future. The focus of the class may vary to engage topics such as environmental tourism or environmental disasters.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of CMCL-C 348 or ENG-R 348.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 315 Environmental Conservation
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Explores the environmental impact of global population growth, natural resources utilization, and pollution. Examines current problems relating to energy consumption, farming practices, water use, resource development and deforestation from geologic and ecological perspectives. Strategies designed to avert predicted global catastrophe will be examined to determine success potential.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 341 Ecological Restoration: Science, Politics, and Ethics
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Can humans restore ecosystems and undo the environmental harm they have caused? To what state/extent should ecosystems be restored? What drives the ecological restoration movement? Investigates the deeply interconnected history, philosophy, ecology, geomorphology, and political economy of restoration through readings, discussions, and fieldwork.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 448 Capitalism and Nature
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
How has nature been appropriated, reworked, and produced under capitalism; conversely, how does the materiality of nature shape the conditions of capitalism? In this seminar, we will investigate how relations between capitalism and nature have evolved from the end of feudalism through the current neoliberal era.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 449 Political Ecology
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
An introduction to political ecology, an approach which focuses on the political-economic context of natural resource conflicts with particular attention to issues of equity, justice, and power. Covers the theoretical lineage of political ecology, its development over the last twenty years, and current hot topics in the field.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
GEOG-G 461 Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduction to global environmental change (GEC), focusing on the human causes and consequences of biophysical transformations of land systems. Emphasis on socioeconomic, political, institutional, and environmental dimensions of land change; tropical forests, grasslands, and urbanizing areas; international environmental regimes; spatial methodologies in GEC research, and integrated approaches.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
HPSC-X 340 Scientific Methods: How Science Really Works
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Science is governed by methods: methods for performing experiments, analyzing data, testing hypotheses, and writing scientific papers. This course frames the philosophical and historical debates about scientific methods and introduces the conceptual tools to discuss and reflect on the rules and procedures that make the pursuit of knowledge scientific.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
HPSC-X 342 The Secret Life of Trees: Scientific, Historical, and Psychological Perspectives on Forests
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examines trees and forests as conspicuous natural objects that play a multivalent role in human imagination, thinking, and emotion. Explores the intertwined natural and cultural trajectory of trees along scientific, historical, and psychological dimensions. Topics include ecosystem services, human uses and attitudes, deforestation, IU\'s woodland campus, and ecological ethics.
- Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Examination of pressing health and environmental challenges around the world, such as deforestation, climate change and the spread of infectious diseases. Focuses on the interaction of health and environmental problems that cross national borders and require a multinational or global effort to solve.
- Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
INTL-I 428 Social Justice and the Environment

Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Interdisciplinary study of comparative environmental justice issues around the world.
Repeatability
May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 12 credit hours.

SPEA-V 424 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, JUSTICE, AND POLITICS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None

SPH-O 313 WILDERNESS AND PROTECTED LANDS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None

SPH-O 360 HUMAN HEALTH AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

Credits
3–3 credit hours
Prerequisites
None
Description
None
Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
2. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
3. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
4. Exceptions to concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.