The Politics of Nature

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This interdisciplinary seminar examines how people relate to “nature” while developing problem-solving approaches to environmental issues through comparative case analysis. Students explore how environmental issues emerge through the interplay of culture, political economy, diverse environmentalisms, and multiple governance configurations across the Global North and South. The course bridges critical environmental theory with practical policy intervention by analyzing successful and failed environmental initiatives worldwide. Through scaffolded research projects, students learn to translate complex socio-ecological problems into evidence-based solutions tailored to specific audiences—from UN assemblies to local communities. Core inquiries include: How do development patterns shape environmental outcomes? What explains mobilizations for environmental justice and what makes movements successful? How can we move from critique to implementation in addressing climate change? We analyze the politics of land, natural resources, and climate—through issues ranging from deforestation and mining to oil spills and decarbonization efforts. Students develop skills in interdisciplinary analysis, solution design, and policy writing while examining concrete environmental issues of their choosing.