Sociology 382: Environmental Sociology
Course Dates & Location:,
Tuesday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
111 East Hall
Instructor:
Dr. Peter F. Korsching
216 East Hall, 515-294-8322, pkorsch@iastate.edu
Office Hours:T - 2:00 - 4:00 PM, Th - 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Objective of Course:
This course is an overview of the interrelationships between the earth’s natural environment and the societies human populations have created. The environment provides both potentials and limitations for human society development. It is the natural resource base on which all life ultimately depends. Human populations both modify and adapt to the environment through social organization and technology. These interrelationships among human populations, their organizations and technology, and the sustainability of the natural resource base will be examined. Specific objectives of the course are:
- To acquaint students with sociological perspectives on the nature, breadth and scope of contemporary environmental issues.
- To critically examine alternative policies and strategies for addressing environmental problems through the lens of sociological theories and methods.
- To gain a deeper understanding of the sociological perspective of a contemporary environmental issue through its examination in the course project.
Required Readings:
- Charles L. Harper, Environment and Society, 5th Edition
- Supplementary readings available online and/or through the ISU Library Reserve Room
