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Environmental Sociology

Environmental sociology offers important insights for understanding the social roots of environmental problems, unequal exposures to toxic pollution and risks from ecological disasters, and political and economic interests in environmental conflicts. This module introduces students to environmental sociology, a field that examines the role that power and social inequality play in shaping human and nonhuman interactions, while drawing attention to the inseparability of humans and nonhumans. It explores a range of perspectives and topics within the field, including political ecology, ecological Marxism, consumption and production, global environmental justice, risk, toxicity, eco-feminism, environmentalism of the poor, and environmental crisis. By taking this module, students will gain an understanding of key theoretical perspectives, debates, topics, and new directions within environmental sociology, and the importance of this critical area of sociological study for understanding global environmental problems and change.