Environmental Sociology

Course Code:

SOC 371

Semester:

Spring

Course Type:

Core

P:

3

Lab:

0

Laboratuvar Saati:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

5

Course Language:

English

Course Objectives:

The aim of this course is to provide a deeper understanding of the inherent relationship between humans and the natural environment from the sociological perspective.

Course Content:

- the social construction of the natural environment and the shift in the relationship between society and the environment over time and across societies;

- the nature and extent of various contemporary environmental problems;

- political and economic conflicts over environmental issues;

- the relationship between social inequalities and exposure to environmental risks;

- the role and impact of the environmental movement in addressing environmental issues and affecting environmental policies;

- the environmental impacts of economic development, late capitalism and globalization;

natural resource use and sustainable development.

Course Methodology:

1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion, 9: Simulation, 12: Case Study

Course Evaluation Methods:

A: Testing, C: Homework

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of this course a student:	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
grasps the social perceptions of the relationship between humans and the natural environment as well as the relationship between these perceptions and the environmental problems we face. (Learning Outcome:3)	1,2,3	A,C
thinks critically on the reasons for the political and economic conflicts regarding environmental issues, and discusses the social ramifications of these conflicts. (Learning Outcome:3)	1,2,3	A,C
grasps the relationship between social inequalities and exposure to environmental risks. (Learning Outcome:6)	1,2,3	A,C

Course Flow

Week	Topics		Study Materials
1	Syllabus Overview and Introduction to the Course		Course Syllabus
2	Chapter 1 - An Introduction to Environmental Sociology		- Gould and Lewis, CH.1
3	Chapter 2 - The Social Construction of Nature		Gould and Lewis, CH.2
4	Chapter 3 - Theories in Environmental Sociology Ishmael CH 1 & 2 (pp.3-46)		Gould and Lewis, CH.3 Ishmael CH 1 & 2 (pp.3-46)
5	Chapter 9 - Population, Demography, and the Environment Ishmael CH 3 & 4 (pp.49-75) *** Student Presentations **	Gould and Lewis, CH 9 Ishmael CH 3 & 4 (pp.49-75)
6	- The Struggle Over Hunger: Social and Ecological Dimensions Documentary – “A Thousand Suns” *** Student Presentations **	Humphrey et al. CH 4
7	Chapter 5 – Labor Productivity and the Environment Chapter 16 – Labor and the Environment Ishmael CH 5 & 6 (pp.79-110)	Gould and Lewis, 5. Ve 16. Bölüm Ishmael CH 5 & 6 (pp.79-110)
8	Chapter 19 – The Paradoxes of Sustainable Development: Focus on Ecotourism Tartışma ve Kısa Sınav => Ishmael	Gould and Lewis, CH 19
9	**MID-TERM EXAM**
10	Chapter 10 - Environmental Inequality and Environmental Justice Ishmael CH 7 & 8 (ss.113-148) Documentary – “Akıntıya Karşı (Against the Current)”	Gould and Lewis, CH 10 Ishmael CH 7 & 8 (ss.113-148)
11	Chapter 14 - Climate Change: Why the Old Approaches Aren’t Working Ishmael CH 9 & 10 (pp.151-207)	Gould and Lewis, CH 14 Ishmael CH 9 & 10 (pp.151-207)
12	Guest Speaker
13	Chapter 15 - US Environmental Movements Chapter 17 - Environmental Movements in the Global South *** Student Presentations **	Gould and Lewis, CH 15 & 17
14	Chapter 18 - Indigenous Cultures: Environmental Knowledge, Practice, and Rights Ishmael CH 11 & 12 (pp.211-263)	Gould and Lewis, CH 18 - Ishmael CH 11 & 12 (pp.211-263)
15	*** Student Presentations **

Recommended Sources

Textbook

Gould, Kenneth, A. and Tammy L. Lewis, eds. 2009. Twenty Lessons in Environmental Sociology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Humphrey, Craig, R., Tammy L. Lewis, Frederick H. Buttel. 2002. Environment, Energy, And Society: A New Synthesis. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Additional Resources

Quinn, Daniel. 1995. Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit. New York: Bantam Books.

Material Sharing

Documents
Assignments	Presentation
Exams	Mid-Term; Quiz; Final Exam

Assessment

IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Presentation	1	20
Quiz	1	20
Mid-Term Exam	1	60
Total		100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE		40
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE		60
Total		100

COURSE CATEGORY

Compulsory

Course’s Contribution to Program

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To raise individuals who are proficient in research methods in social sciences, and competent in carrying out sociological research.	x
2	To raise individuals who develop an interdisciplinary perspective by way of taking courses not only in the field of sociology but also those offered by different faculty and departments.	x
3	To raise individuals who have a firm grasp of the main topics and issues of the society in Turkey.					x
4	To raise social scientists who are competent in “sociology of organizations and institutions”, one of the major areas of sociology.		x
5	To raise social scientists who are competent in “political sociology and social change”, one of the major areas of sociology.				x
6	To raise social scientists who are competent in “social inequalities/stratification”, one of the major areas of sociology.					x
7	To raise social scientists who are competent in “culture and society”, one of the major areas of sociology.	x
8	To raise social scientists who have a command of the history of and the theories in social sciences.	x
9	To raise individuals who have the skill of expressing themselves well, verbally and in writing, and who are knowledgeable in the main requirements of academic writing.	x
10	To raise individuals who are capable of developing projects in different parts of the world, working for international organizations.	x

ECTS

Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	15	3	45
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	5	60
Presentation	1	3	3
Quiz	1	5	5
Mid-term	1	8	8
Total Work Load			121
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			4,84
ECTS Credit of the Course			5

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