Environmental Justice

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The world we inhabit, including cities, transportation systems, food supply, energy production, and other aspects of modern life are the product of the work of human hands, as are the wastes and hazards produced. Disparate exposures to the hazards and unequal distribution of the benefits of modern life cause injustice that leads to health disparities. This course will explore how to critically explore hazards, develop collaborative solutions using community-based participatory research principles, and evaluate those solutions to promote environmental justice and reduce environmental and occupational health disparities. Students will work in groups in collaboration with community members impacted by environmental and occupational health issues, utilizing the principles of Community-Based Learning. Learning Objectives At the completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Critically evaluate current scientific methods for studying environmental justice issues. 2. Critique existing national and international efforts to eliminate environmental injustices. 3. Develop a values-based approach for eliminating environmental injustices. 4. Implement community-based participatory research principles to reduce environmental injustices.