Environmental Political Theory
Environmental Political Theory
PS 399 (002), Fall 2013
TR, 10:00-11:50am
Lincoln Hall, Room 247
Prof. Joseph Lampert Office: Urban Center, 650E
Office hours: Th 12:00-1:30pm,
phone: 503.725.8311 and by appointment
Course Description
How should we understand the relationship between human beings and the environment? This course explores this question by examining the conceptual and normative issues surrounding the politics of the environment. Our discussion begins by considering different views on nature and the human relationship to it in the history of political thought. We then explore a number of contemporary discourses on the environment, thinking through the implications of understanding environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, including democracy, the market, sustainability, and various forms of green radicalism. We then turn our attention to three cases, exploring the conceptual and normative issues raised by the notion of animal rights, the problem of climate change, and the possibilities and perils of environmental consumption. We will read a mix of “classic” and contemporary works, with the aim of using these as resources for students to develop their own considered perspectives on how to respond to environmental challenges.
Course Objectives
This course aims to improve your ability to:
· Critically read and interpret conceptual and normative arguments about environmental issues.
· Draw on those arguments to inform your own analyses of environmental problems and how to respond to them.
· Articulate your arguments clearly in writing and dialogue.
Texts
The following required books are on order at the PSU bookstore (they are also readily available for purchase online):
John Dryzek, The Politics of the Earth
Peter Singer, Animal Liberation
All other readings will be available on the D2L site or via the web. Students must have a copy of the day’s readings with them during class. For readings available through D2L or the web, you must either print the readings out to bring with you to class or have them available on a laptop (if you use a laptop in class, please note that I ask that wi-fi be disabled).
Requirements and Evaluation
Class participation and attendance (15%)
Your active engagement with the material and participation in class are crucial to coming to a deeper understanding of the concepts we study in the course. A central goal of the class is for you to be able to interrogate the arguments under investigation and to use them to develop your own considered perspective on the nature of environmental challenges and their place in the political world. And I really want to hear what you think about these things! So please carefully complete the assigned readings before class and come prepared to discuss. Listen attentively to your colleagues in class, and feel free to question, challenge, or extend their line of thinking – and mine as well! All discussion should of course proceed in a spirit of respect and collaboration. Also, please note that regular attendance is mandatory, and significant absence will reduce your participation grade.
Midterm exam (25%)
An in-class exam will be held on October 29. We will discuss the format as the date approaches, but in general it will consist of some short answer and longer essay questions.
Essay (25%)
A short essay (~5-6 pages) will be due on the last day of class (December 5). I will distribute topics and guidelines well in advance.
Final exam (35%)
The final exam is on Tuesday, December 10, 10:15am-12:05pm. The format of the exam will be discussed in class. This exam is cumulative.
Students with Disabilities
I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Students with accommodations approved through the DRC are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through the DRC should contact the DRC immediately. For more information, visit: http://www.pdx.edu/uasc/resources-for-students-with-disabilities
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to comply with University regulations regarding academic integrity. If you are in doubt about what constitutes academic dishonesty, speak with me before the assignment is due. Failure to maintain academic integrity on an assignment will result – at a minimum – in a loss of credit for that assignment. Other penalties may also apply. For more information, visit: http://pdx.edu/dos/codeofconduct#AcademicDishonesty
Controversial Subjects
The course materials and classroom discussion may touch on sensitive or controversial issues on which people may strongly disagree. Candid yet respectful discussion of such topics is a requirement of this course. If you are sensitive to such discussions, then do not sign up for this class. Classroom disruptions will not be permitted. At all times students must obey the University's student code of conduct.
Class Norms
If you must use a laptop, please do so for course purposes only, and please turn off wi-fi. Please do not use phones in class for any purpose (texting, Facebook, or otherwise engaging with anything outside of the course).
Course Schedule
Readings available via D2L are noted as such. For readings available via the web, URLs have been provided.
October
1 Introduction
Nature in Modern Political Thought
3 John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Chapter II, “Of the State of Nature”: Sections 4-7
Chapter V, “Of Property”
Available at http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/locke/locke2/2nd-contents.html
8 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Discourse on the Origins of Inequality
Part I, available at http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1782rousseau-inequal.asp
10 Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Chapters 1 (¶ 1-15), 2, 5, 9 (¶ 1-4), 11, 18
Available at http://thoreau.eserver.org/walden00.html
Contemporary Environmental Discourses
15 Limits and Prometheanism: John Dryzek, The Politics of the Earth, chapters 2-3
17 Administration, Democracy, and the Market: Politics of the Earth, chapters 4-6
22 Sustainability and Ecological Modernization: Politics of the Earth, chapters 7-8
24 Green Radicalism and Citizenship: Politics of the Earth, chapters 9-11
29 MIDTERM EXAM
Climate Change
31 The Problem
Naomi Oreskes, “The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change” (D2L)
Simon Caney, “Climate Change, Human Rights, and Moral Thresholds” (D2L)
Documentary: Thin Ice (we will watch this in class)
Optional: Richard Wolfson and Stephen H. Schneider, “Understanding Climate Science”
November
5 Distributing the Atmosphere
Peter Singer, “One Atmosphere” (D2L)
Paul Baer et al, “Greenhouse Development Rights: A Framework for Climate Protection
that is ‘More Fair’ than Equal Per Capita Emissions Rights” (D2L)
Steve Vanderheiden, “Climate Change, Environmental Rights, Emission Shares” (D2L)
Robert Goodin, “Selling Environmental Indulgences” (D2L)
7 Where We Are, Where to Go
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, “It’s Not My Fault: Global Warming and Individual Moral
Obligations” (D2L)
Paul Krugman, “Building a Green Economy,” New York Times Magazine, April 7, 2010:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/magazine/11Economy-t.html
Jason Bordoff and Michael A. Levi, “Bittersweet Achievement on Climate,” New York
Times, June 25, 2013: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/opinion/bittersweet-achievement-on-climate.html?smid=pl-share
Christian Parenti, “A Radical Approach to the Climate Crisis,” Dissent, Summer 2013:
http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/a-radical-approach-to-the-climate-crisis
“EPA Warns Americans Not to Breathe,” The Onion, May 8, 2013:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/epa-warns-americans-not-to-breathe,32347/
Optional: “The Global Climate Change Regime,” The Council on Foreign Relations, June
19, 2013:
http://www.cfr.org/climate-change/global-climate-change-regime/p21831
Animal Rights
12 Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, chapters 1 and 4
14 Animal Liberation, chapters 5 and 6
19 Richard Epstein, “Animals as Objects, or Subjects, of Rights” (D2L)
Martha Nussbaum, “Compassion and Humanity: Justice for Nonhuman Animals” (D2L)
21 Documentary: The Cove
Consumption and the Environment
26 Michael Maniates, “Individualization: Plant a Tree, Buy a Bike, Save the World?” (D2L)
James G. Carrier, “Protecting the Environment the Natural Way: Ethical Consumption
and Commodity Fetishism” (D2L)
Optional: The Lorax, available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soRbNlPbHEo
28 Thanksgiving – NO CLASS
December
3 Kate Soper, “Rethinking the ‘Good Life’: The Consumer as Citizen” (D2L)
Steve Vanderheiden, “Assessing the Case against the SUV” (D2L)
5 Conclusion and Review
PAPER DUE
10 FINAL EXAM, 10:15am-12:05pm
5