FRS 004 — Sec. 008 — (2 units) — CRN 73092 — T 10:00-11:50am — 1137 PES
Understanding Environmental Activism

Instructor: Mark Lubell, Department of Environmental Science & Policy, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Description: This course will examine the history and relevance of environmental activism and the environmental movement in the United States and Europe, with a focus on the behavior of individual citizens and environmental interest groups. Students will conduct a short survey of their peers on the topic of environmental activism, and learn how to analyze the resulting data. The student will read several research papers related to environmental activism, which will expose them to theories of interest groups, collective action, and social movements. They will learn some of the basics about how to design and analyze a public opinion survey.

Format: The class will be held Tuesday from 10am-11:50am in 1137 PES for 2 units credit, with pass/ no pass grading and will be limited to 20 students. Meetings once per week to discuss a research paper and work on survey design. The students will read one paper or book chapter each week. They will also be required to administer the public opinion survey to at least 10 of their peers. Grading: 50% of the grade will be based on 2-page critiques of the weekly readings, which they will turn in for 5 of the readings. 40% of the grade will be based on a 5-page final report on their analysis of the survey data. 10% of the grade will be based on class participation and attendance. There will be no exams of any type.

About the Instructor: Mark Lubell is a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and has a Ph.D. in political science. His research interests include human cooperation, collaborative environmental policy, watershed management, and environmental activism. Current projects include a survey of farmer participation in watershed management, cross-national analyses of environmental activism, and environmental policy change in local governments. Professor Lubell teaches courses in public lands management and water policy.