Course Description: This course provides an introduction to global environmental politics as reflected in public imaginative discourse. Each week, we read a work of fiction or literary non-fiction together with analytical articles on such issues as genetically modified organisms, environmental ethics, human rights and the degradation of nature, climate change, nuclear energy, industrial pollution, and the tensions between environment and development. There are no prerequisites, but students should expect an unusually heavy reading load. Course goals: To cultivate a love of reading; to investigate how significant environmental issues are portrayed in creative media; to learn the basics of environmental issues; to examine critically the accuracy and plausibility of the scenarios presented in fiction and literary non-fiction; to think about the differences between creative works and traditional political science as vehicles for analysis, education and social change. To what extent are the works “political”? What motivates the writers to choose these topics and settings? Are they effective as tools for political mobilization? For understanding underlying causes and predicting the future? The reading list is by no means comprehensive. Some of the great nature writers are not represented (Peter Mattheissen, John McPhee, Annie Dillard, Aldo Leopold), and many important topics are not covered. However, the books and films are chosen to represent geographic and topical diversity and should prove to be absorbing reading. The course is organized thematically according to the PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE. Requirements: This is a block class. Attendance in all sessions is mandatory. Blackboard postings by the Tuesday before each class are mandatory as a way of starting the discussion and ensuring that all students have done the reading. Each week, two students will make a short (10 minute) presentation on the issues presented as themes in the week’s book. There are two integrative papers required. Grades will be based on: Attendance, in-class participation, and fact reports 20%. Blackboard postings 35%, Quiz 5%, Paper One 20 %, Paper Two 20 %. All TEN books are available for purchase at the bookstore. They will also be placed on hard reserve but you will probably want to own them. Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake, Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go, Amitav Ghosh, Hungry Tide, Susan Orleans, Orchid Thief, Jonathan Harr, A Civil Action, Masuji Ibuse, Black Rain, Mark Kurlansky, Cod, Ma Bo, Blood-red Sunset, Wade Davis, One River, Tim Flannery, Weather Makers BACKGROUND WEBSITES, please visit during the first week of class to get an overview of issues!: PART ONE: THE PAST Sep. 7 Human rights and environmental degradation CHIN Ma Bo, Blood-red Sunset Supplement: Shapiro, Mao’s War against Nature, pages on educated youth movement (handout). Sep. 14 Nuclear Energy JAPAN Masuji Ibuse, Black Rain Film: “Dr. Strangelove” DVD 37 (two copies) and VHS 67 (home use) Sep. 21 Overfishing NOVA SCOTIA Mark Kurlansky, Cod Supplement: http://www.wcl.american.edu/environment/iel/ten.cfm Also: Garrett Hardin’s famous essay, “The Tragedy of the Commons” on Course Documents Sep. 28 Bioprospecting/ ethnobotany/ intellectual property AMAZON Wade Davis, One River Supplement: http://www.wcl.american.edu/environment/iel/thirteen.cfm, especially material on the Convention on Biological Diversity, and indigenous knowledge Oct. 5 Section Wrap-up, First Paper Due
PART TWO: THE PRESENT Oct. 12 Industrial Pollution and Health; Environmental Law; Environmental Justice MASS Jonathan Harr, a Civil Action Film: “Erin Brockovitch” (DVD 306) Northwest Current special issue, WWI pollution at AU and Spring Valley (Blackboard). Suppl: Love Canal: http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/lovecanal/01.htm Guest: Charlie Bermpohl? Oct.19 Conservation and Social Justice INDIA Amitav Ghosh, Hungry Tide Supplement: Worldwatch Magazine on BINGOs http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/mag/2004/176 AND rebuttals: http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/mag/2005/181 Oct. 26 Endangered Species; Illegal wildlife trade FLORIDA Susan Orleans, Orchid Thief Supplement: http://www.wcl.american.edu/environment/iel/thirteen.cfm, especially links to CITES, TRAFFIC. Film: “Adaptation” (needs to be rented) Nov. 2 Water Resources Struggles ARAL SEA Tom Bissell, short story, “Aral” (Blackboard document). Section Wrap-up: Quiz PART THREE: THE FUTURE Nov. 16 GMOs Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake Supplement: http://www.wcl.american.edu/environment/iel/thirteen.cfm, especially material on biosafety. Web search: Frankenfoods. Guest: Simon Nicholson? Nov. 30 Science and Ethics Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go Dec. 7 LAST CLASS, Wrap-up, Final Papers Due the Monday after class |