ISHU 4830 - A Philosophic History of American Environmentalism

The course gives a philosophic history of American environmentalism by examining some of the ‘classic’ works within this tradition which have had world-wide influence, such as Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, and Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. It will also look at how some contemporary American environmental thinkers have critically appropriated the ideas defended in these ‘classics’. Finally, we shall see how these ‘classic’ ideas connect to current American cultural values and to such current social issues as consumerism, global warming, preserving endangered species, animal liberation and achieving sustainable food production.

Credits: 3