American Environmental Politics (POL2109.01)

John Hultgren

This course will explore American environmental politics, from the late 1800s to the present day, with a focus on understanding the actors, institutions, and structural power dynamics that impact environmental struggles. We will proceed by engaging with a variety of historical and contemporary case studies related to clean air and water, forests, energy, public lands, and climate change. These cases will provide insight into major theories and concepts relevant to American politics; the historical evolution of American environmental policy; the ways in which various interest groups seek to influence environmental policy; and the role played by social movements that operate outside of formal political institutions.


Learning Outcomes:
-Students will be introduced to the theories of power that social scientists use to make sense of the world, as well as major concepts employed by scholars of public policy.
-Students will gain a working grasp of the history of struggles over access to and control over land, water, and forests in the United States.
-Students will examine different ways of conceptualizing and valuing nature and the environment.



Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 1:40PM - 3:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: Every 2-3 years

Categories: 2000 , All courses , Environment , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Politics
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