There is a rich history of American environmental activism that accelerated in the 1960's and became widespread in the 1970's, spurred by an increasing awareness of the harmful effects of pollution on public health and the destructive effect of industrial activity on the planet. The Santa Barbara oil spill off the coast of California and the widely disseminated photos of the Cuyahoga River on fire near downtown Cleveland, Ohio had a profound effect on the American public. These jarring events and others led to an unprecedented wave of environmental lawmaking, spurred, in part, by the actions of the public. At this time in our environmental policymaking and regulations, when so much seems dire, this course may offer a more pragmatic perspective on the battles of environmentalism and how we might become more involved in them. 

Environmental Activism will provide an understanding of the history of environmental activism in the United States, the social and political context of the environmental movement, and the tools for effective environmental activism. Students will be exposed to a range of advocacy tools that have shaped the movement, as well as the organizations and individuals who have been leading proponents of meaningful

Course Requirements:

* Students will actively participate in the discussion of assigned readings 

* Report on current environmental challenges 

* Complete an end-of-semester project that builds on the themes of the course and advocates on behalf of an environmental issue.

Intended Audience:

All LSA students

Class Format:

Learning Mode: This will be a Blended course. All documentary films will be viewed individually by students as an asynchronous class period (links will be provided).

Instruction Mode: Students should look to the syllabus for schedules of synchronous and asynchronous participation materials.