Winter 2018 - ANTH 330 - Dr. Götz Hoeppe 

Course Description 

This course examines the relationships between humans and their environments, including the diversity of symbolic classifications of “society” and “nature” as well as the impacts of social, economic, political and bureaucratic organization. Topics include politics and practice, the influence of globalization, science and technology, as well as regional perspectives.  

Struggles over the environment are often fueled by diverging rationalities and values, and we begin by considering this with a case study from the US American Southwest. Then we turn to the history of environmental anthropology which reflects, and has influenced, theoretical trends in anthropology and beyond. Appreciating this history is useful for making sense of contemporary problems and concerns. With this in mind, we will read seminal texts on environmental anthropology and use them to address current debates on deforestation, the construction and impact of dams, and the management of natural resources. 

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes 

• To discover how sociocultural anthropology helps to make sense of the diverse understandings and practices that have shaped human relations with their environment. 

• To develop an informed critical perspective on how current regional and global environmental issues and politics are connected to cultures and societies. 

• To make sense of how the character of social identities, the law, formal organization and bureaucracy matters in environmental conflict.