Course Description Consumer Culture/Ethics/The Environment

J 412/512, Fall 2019, Class meets MW, 4-5:50pm, 140 Allen Hall

Course counts toward 40 upper-division SOJC credits required for a bachelor’s degree in Journalism; pre-requisite: J 201 with a mid-C or better grade.

Professor Carl Bybee Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 3-4 Monday/Wednesday and by appointment, 200 Allen Hall

Course Description

Gary Cross has called the 20th Century an “all-consuming century,” pointing to the dramatic intensification of consumer culture in the United States: the buying and selling of objects, services, symbols and information, and some would also say human relationships, for physical or symbolic consumption.

In the 21st Century consumer culture has appeared to have all but triumphed, with consumer/market values having penetrated into nearly aspect of daily life, from relationship formation to perceived self-worth to our understanding of happiness to how we see the value of a human life or even what values we hold for life itself.

However, for the most part, concern about consumer culture has been restricted to a few social critics. Most ordinary Americans would be unlikely to describe America as a consumer culture, although if someone else did, they might have some idea of what they were talking about.

Recently two things have changed. First, driven by systems thinking—- seeing the world as interconnected and interdependent—- more and more cultural observers are talking, writing about and visualizing the connections between consumer culture and the environment—- where does stuff come from and where does it go? And second, also driven by systems thinking, more and more cultural observers are calling attention to the links between our current environmental crisis and our global economic system which includes consumer culture as a key driver of ever increasing economic expansion. Adding to the complexity of the situation is that the global economic system is facing its own crisis, due to its role in harming the environment while simultaneously creating historic levels of economic inequality.

We are now being asked, by everyone from 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, to Pope Francis, to the NAACP, to NASA scientists, to the International Panel on Climate Change, to the United Nations Global Report on Biodiversity, to even the U.S. Business Roundtable to rethink the connection between human activity and the environment, and particularly our global economic system and the planet. Focus of the course: This course will take up this challenge exploring the meaning of consumer culture in connection with the environment and our global economic system.

We will do this in three ways. First, through the lens of history, we will explore the driving social, political, environmental and psychological debates over the rise of consumer culture over the last century. Second, we will look at how consumer culture intersects with the environmental crisis, as well as the crisis of capitalism and the related crisis of democracy. We will draw on a wide range of fields and approaches, ranging across philosophy, psychology, sociology, and media studies. Third, we will also explore and engage with responses to these developments in terms of ecological, consumer and media literacy activism at local, national and international levels.

Course Goals

This course will develop your ability to:

• Understand of the meaning and evolution of consumerism, including its functional and dysfunctional consequences for a flourishing democratic culture and healthy planet. • Understand the difference between a mechanistic/linear approach to consumer culture and a systems/ecological approach. • Understand the interdependence between the individual and society • Distinguish between producer and consumer capitalism. • Assess the implications of specific examples of contemporary consumer culture and their consequences for the global ecosystem. • Apply deep and critical reading skills to interpret theoretical texts and public arguments.

And, as upper-division students in a rigorous Journalism program, we will seek to develop lifelong skills that can serve students well as citizens. We’ll

• Practice self-compassion and explore its relationship to sustainable communities and environments. • Develop capacity for peer and community collaboration.

Required Readings (available at the U of O or Smith Family Bookstores unless otherwise noted):

ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BRING HARD COPIES OR ELECTRONIC COPIES OF ASSIGNED READINGS TO CLASS ON DAY(S) THEY ARE BEING DISCUSSED

• Cross, Gary S. 2000. An all-consuming century: why commercialism won in modern America. New York: Columbia University Press. • Francis, Pope. Laudato Si — On Care for Our Common Home. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2015. Also available online here. • Speth, James Gustave. 2008. The bridge at the end of the world: Capitalism, the environment, and crossing from crisis to sustainability. [New Haven, Conn.]: Yale University Press. Online copy here. • Selected readings from the Internet and Canvas Files .

Format

This will be a workshop style course, emphasizing both reading and doing, as well as critical evaluation. Since a significant amount of the coursework will be done in class, will involve group work, and will be assigned as class interests develop, attendance is required. Assigned readings will be announced at least one class period before they should be completed. Students are also expected to bring an electronic or hard copy of each day’s assigned readings to class to facilitate class discussion. Reading and assignments are subject to change in response to developments in class.

This class will be using the university Canvas system for communication, group work, submitting assignments, etc. Students should immediately log on to Canvas and make sure that their names and email addresses are correctly entered for the course. Students should then familiarize themselves with the basic site, layout, and functions. As we work in class and students have questions about Canvas issues, consider calling the U of O Canvas resource office at (541) 346-1807.

Evaluation (135 points total)

1. Two (2) individual papers.

• Paper One: A critical examination of a consumer culture/environment intervention will be due at the end of the fifth week (1,200 words / 40 points ). Due date: Noon, November 1. • Paper Two: A critical review/evaluation/intervention concerning consumer culture and the environment will be due at the time of the scheduled final examination for the class (1,200 words / 40 points). Due Date: December 10, 5 PM.

2. Group Work/Volunteer Work/Presentations (55 points total).

• There will be eight group work assignments including a final group presentation. Details for these assignments can be found on our class Canvas site. Group work will take place inside and outside of class. There will be group work devoted to reading assignments and group work connected to assigned environmental organizations. As groups, students will also prepare reading presentations (the number to be determined by class readings assigned), lead and participate in class discussions, do research, volunteer, and make a final group presentation. Each student will be expected to complete eight hours of volunteer/participant observation work during term. There are eight group work assignments including the final group presentation. 3. Attendance

• Class attendance is required. For every class missed, one-third of a grade will be deducted from the final grade. Class attendance will not raise your grade, it is required. However, missing classes will lower your grade.

4. Other Course Policies:

Academic Integrity:

The University Student Conduct Code (available at conduct.uoregon.edu) defines academic misconduct. Students are prohibited from committing or attempting to commit any act that constitutes academic misconduct. By way of example, students should not give or receive (or attempt to give or receive) unauthorized help on assignments or examinations without express permission from the instructor. Students should properly acknowledge and document all sources of information (e.g. quotations, paraphrases, ideas) and use only the sources and resources authorized by the instructor. If there is any question about whether an act constitutes academic misconduct, it is the students’ obligation to clarify the question with the instructor before committing or attempting to commit the act. Additional information about a common form of academic misconduct, plagiarism, is available at https://researchguides.uoregon.edu/citing- plagiarism.

Accessibility:

The University of Oregon is working to create inclusive learning environments. Please notify me if there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in disability-related barriers to your participation. You are also encouraged to contact the Accessible Education Center in 360 Oregon Hall at 541-346-1155 or [email protected].

Attendance:

All journalism courses are covered by the university’s mandatory attendance policy: “Academic departments may require students to attend the first meeting of designated classes. … Students who do not attend the first session of these classes will be reported to the Registrar and dropped from the course….The university refund schedule applies.” Students who attempt to add the course after first day will be required to take and pass a quiz on the course syllabus and submit a written paper for each day missed— details to be provided.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Diversity is supported and valued at the University of Oregon. We respect the dignityand essential worth of all individuals; reject bigotry, discrimination, violence, and intimidation; practice personal and academic integrity and expect it of others; andpromote a diversity of ideas, opinions, and backgrounds

University of Oregon Policy Statement on Equal Opportunity: The University of Oregon affirms and actively promotes the right of all individuals to equal opportunity in education at this institution without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other extraneous consideration not directly and substantively related to effective performance.

Food/Living Insecurity:

Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Dean of Students Office (346-3216, 164 Oregon Hall) for support. Furthermore, if you are comfortable doing so, please let me know about your situation so I can help point you in the right direction for assistance. Course Schedule Week 01

Day One Topic: Introduction

1.1 Brief overview of syllabus, course expectations.

1.2 How do we know things? Studying the world AND living in the world.

Theory/Praxis: : See Praxis (particularly section on Hannah Arendt) and Progressive Education (particularly the entry on John Dewey)

Beginning with the body: Embodied Cognition.

1.3 Everything is connected: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Ecological/Systems Thinking/Non-linear Thinking. Watch in class: The Story of Stuff

1.4 Getting ready for Group Work: Interest survey and reviewing group work options. Week 02

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture, the Economy, the Environment, Identity and Well-Being: All Mixed Up

Be prepared to discuss:

• Cross, “Preface” and “Chapter One: The Irony of the Century,” pp. 1-17. • Systems Thinking: Fritjof Capra: The Web of Life (excerpt) — Thinking Allowed w/ Jeffrey Mishlove: Watch for class: Here. • Introduce yourself to the notion of Self-Compassion: o Take the Quiz. o Kristen Neff explains Self-Compassion: Watch here.

Class activities include:

• Introducing Paper One. • Watching:“Advertising at the Edge of the Apocalypse | Kanopy.” Accessed September 25, 2018. https://www.kanopy.com/product/advertising-edge-apocalypse. Transcript here. • Forming Groups.

Day Two Topic: System Failure:The State of our Planet

Be prepared to discuss:

IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 ºC— (Three minutes): Accessed September 25, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVjp3TO_juI.

Pope Francis, “Chapter One: What is happening to our common home,” Laudato Si.

Speth, “Preface,” “Acknowledgements,” “Introduction: Between Two Worlds,” and Chapter One, “Looking into the Abyss,” pp. ix-46. Who is Speth? Here.

“8 Things You Need to Know About the IPCC 1.5˚C Report.” World Resources Institute, October 7, 2018. https://www.wri.org/blog/2018/10/8-things-you-need-know-about-ipcc-15-c- report.

“BBC Radio 4 – Costing the Earth, The State of Nature.” BBC. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004sj9. (28 minutes)

Challenging United Nations Biodiversity Report | Season 2019 Episode 34 | Almanac. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://www.pbs.org/video/challenging-united-nations-biodiversity-report- 35384/. (Six minutes)

Theory/Praxis: Can We Imagine a Different Future?

Watch Part One in Class: Where to Invade Next. From Wikipedia: “a 2015 American documentary film written and directed by Michael Moore.[3][4] The film, in the style of a travelogue, has Moore spending time in countries such as Italy, France, Finland, Tunisia, Slovenia, Germany, and Portugal where he experiences those countries’ alternative methods of dealing with social and economic ills experienced in the United States.” Script for the film here. Week 03

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture: From Producer to Consumer Capitalism Be prepared to discuss:

Cross, Chapter Two, “Setting the Course, 1900-1930,” pp. 17-67.

Curtis, Adam. 2006. The century of the self. Rockford, Ill.: BN Pub. Part One: “Happiness Machines.”

Century of the Self page for the course.

Theory/Praxis:

Class activities include:

Work Group Assignment Three In-class.

Day Two Topic One System Failure: Capitalism in Crisis

Be prepared to discuss:

Speth, Chapter Two, “Modern Capitalism: Out of Control.”

“Naomi Klein on Capitalism and Climate Change” | Moyers & Company | BillMoyers.Com.” Accessed April 17, 2013. http://billmoyers.com/segment/naomi-klein-on-capitalism-and-climate- change/. (31 minutes)

Klein, Naomi. “Capitalism vs. the Climate,” November 9, 2011. https://www.thenation.com/article/capitalism-vs-climate/.

Milton Friedman Choir – The Corporation. Accessed September 25, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Seg0JE1PM. (Three minutes)

Day Two Topic Two: System Failure: Environmentalism Takes a Wrong Turn

Be prepared to discuss:

Speth, Chapter Three, “The Limits of Today’s Environmentalism.”

Theory/Praxis:

“BBC Radio 4 – Costing the Earth, Eco Anxiety.” BBC. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00050qr. Week 04

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture: From Citizens to Consumers Be prepared to discuss:

Cross, Chapter Three, “Promises of More, 1930-1960,” pp. 67-111.

Curtis, Adam. 2006. The century of the self. Rockford, Ill.: BN Pub., Part Two: “The Engineering of Consent.”

Century of the Self page for the course.

Theory/Praxis:

TBD

Day Two Topic: The Great Transformation: From a Mechanistic to a Systems View

Be prepared to discuss:

Capra, Fritjof, and Pier Luigi Luisi. “Introduction: Paradigms in Science and Society,” The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision. 1 edition. Cambridge University Press, 2014. In Canvas Files

Pope Francis, “Chapter Four: Integral Ecology,” in Laudato Si’.

Speth, Chapter Four, “The Market: Making It Work for the Environment” and Chapter Five, “Economic Growth: Moving to a Post-Growth Society,” pp. 89-126.

Theory/Praxis:

Class activities include:

Work Group Assignment Four In-class. Week 05

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture: Early Early Challenges to Consumer Culture

Be prepared to discuss:

Cross, Chapter Four, “Coping with Abundance,” pp. 111-145.

Curtis, Adam. 2006. The century of the self. Rockford, Ill.: BN Pub., Part Three, “There is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads: He Must Be Destroyed.”

Century of the Self page for the course. Theory/Praxis:

TBD

Day Two Topic: The Great Transformation: What is Happiness, What is Desire?

Be prepared to discuss:

Speth, Chapter Six, “Real Growth, Promoting the Well-being of People and Nature,” Chapter Seven, and “Consumption: Living with Enough, Not Always More.”

Bauman, Zygmunt. “Consuming Life.” Journal of Consumer Culture 1, no. 1 (March 1, 2001): 9–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/146954050100100102.

Leonhardt, David. “Opinion | We’re Measuring the Economy All Wrong.” The New York Times, September 16, 2018, sec. Opinion.

Theory/Praxis:

Class activities include:

Work Group Assignment Five. Week 06

Class Administration: Introduction to Paper Two

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture: Co-opting Consumer Criticism and the Rise of Radical Individuality

Be prepared to discuss:

Cross, Chapter Five, “A New Consumerism, 1960-1980,” pp. 145-193.

Curtis, Adam. 2006. The century of the self. Rockford, Ill.: BN Pub., Part Four, “Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering.”

Century of the Self page for the course.

Theory/Praxis:

TBD

Day Two Topic: The Great Transformation: Rethinking Economics Be prepared to discuss:

Speth, Chapter Eight, “The Corporation: Changing the Fundamental Dynamics,” and Chapter Nine, “Capitalism’s Core: Advancing beyond Today’s Capitalism,” pp. 183-199.

“What is a Just Transition?”, Just Transition: https://climatejusticealliance.org/just-transition/

“Taking Climate Action to the next Level.” TheNextSystem.org. Accessed October 23, 2018. https://thenextsystem.org/climateaction. (pp. 1-32).

Theory/Praxis:

Class activities include:

Work Group Assignment Six Environmental Organization Update

A look at solutions in progress:

Lane County NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee: https://naacplanecounty.org/programs/environmental-climate-justice-committee/

“Portland’s Clean Energy Measure Soars to Victory.” Willamette Week. Accessed September 26, 2019. https://www.wweek.com/news/2018/11/06/portlands-clean-energy-initiative-measure- 26-201-soars-to-victory/.

Community-Wealth.org

Few Americans are aware of the steady build-up of innovative community wealth building strategies throughout the United States. Community-Wealth.org brings together, for the first time, information about the broad range of community wealth building activity.

Beautiful Solutions

The Beautiful Solutions Gallery and Lab is an interactive space for sharing the stories, solutions and big ideas needed to build new institutional power and point the way toward a just, resilient, and democratic future.

Developed by Beautiful Solutions in partnership with This Changes Everything, this is an open- ended project that will continue to evolve based on the ideas you submit to the Lab, and the ongoing contributions of the thinkers and practitioners on the forefront of building alternatives.

Yes! Magazine

YES! Media is a nonprofit, independent publisher of solutions journalism. Through rigorous reporting on the positive ways communities are responding to social problems and insightful commentary that sparks constructive discourse, YES! Media inspires people to build a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world. Week 07

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture: Markets vs Democracy

Be prepared to discuss:

Cross, Chapter Six, “Markets Triumphant, 1980-2000,” pp. 193-233.

Theory/Praxis:

TBD

Day Two Topic: Seeds of Transformation: Rethinking the our Relationship to Nature

Be prepared to discuss:

Speth, Chapter Ten, “A New Consciousness,” pp. 199-217.

Fromm, Erich. “First Glance: The Importance of the Difference Between Having and Being,” (check page numbers based on edition you are using) from Having and Being, 1976. In Canvas Files. Also here.

Capra, Fritjof, and Pier Luigi Luisi. “Chapter 16: The Ecological Dimensions of Life,” The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision. 1 edition. Cambridge University Press, 2014. In Canvas Files.

Theory/Praxis:

TBD Week 08

Day One Topic: Consumer Culture: Consumer Culture, Ethics, Nature and the Body

Be prepared to discuss:

Cross, Chapter Seven, “An Ambiguous Legacy,” pp. 233-253. Fesmire, Steven. “Cultivating EcologicaI Imagination.” In Symposium, 9:339–352, 2008. Also in Canvas Files.

Theory/Praxis:

Wikipedia fun.

Day Two Topic: Seeds of Transformation: Rethinking our Relationship to Nature

Be prepared to discuss:

Speth, Chapter Eleven, “A New Politics” and Chapter Twelve, “The Bridge at the Edge of the World,” pp. 217-239.

Klein, Naomi. “Epilogue: The Capsule Case for a Green New Deal,” in On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2019. Reading is in Canvas Files.

Oregon Green New Deal: http://www.orjta.org/ognd/

“Ecuador adopts Rights of Nature in Constitution,” Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.

Global Parliament of Mayors, Mission Statement.

Theory/Praxis:

Class activities include:

Work Group Assignment Seven. Week 09

Day One Topic: Rethinking Radical Individualism

Be prepared to discuss:

Dewey, John, 2008. “Search for the Great Community,” The Public and Its Problems. In The later works (Vol. 2). Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. (Original work published: 1927).

– To read the online copy, go to The Collected Works of John Dewey, 1882-1953, click on Connect to UO’s copy of this resource. Sign in, then search for “Search for the Great Community,” then click on Match Three. Read pages 326-351. Or go to Canvas Files.

Theory/Praxis: TBD

Day Two Topic: Is Thanksgiving a Sale?: Thanks Giving, Gratitudes, Self-Compassion, and Compassion. Week 10

Day One Topic: Rethinking Radical Individualism (Continued)

Be prepared to discuss:

Dewey, John, 2008. “Search for the Great Community,” The Public and Its Problems. In The later works (Vol. 2). Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. (Original work published: 1927).

Theory/Praxis:

TBD

Day Two Topic: Presentations and reflections.

FINAL PAPER

— Hard Copy TURNED IN and Electronic copy UPLOADED Monday OF FINALS WEEK BY 16:45 Tuesday, December 10