SOC 282 - Environmental Sociology

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: General

This course examines the relationships between society and the natural environment. It focuses on human understanding of nature, the use and abuse of natural resources, and what can be done to improve the relationship. It is recommended that students take SOC 110 prior to this course.
Competencies

Discuss environmental problems and society
1. Define environmental sociology
2. Define society
3. Explain sustainability
4. Discuss environmental justice
Discuss consumption and materialism
1. Discuss the material basis of the human condition
2. Define leisure class
3. Discuss the role of advertising
4. Describe the treadmill of production
Discuss population and development pressures on the environment
1. Discuss the Malthusian perspective
2. Explain demographic transition theory
Analyze health issues and the environment
1. Discuss the meaning of Living Downstream
2. Describe an example of Environmental Racism
3. Discuss power and environmental justice
4. Describe the nitrate and mercury problems
5. Discuss waste disposal practices
Discuss major ideologies that relate humans to the environment
1. Discuss western ideologies and the environment
2. Discuss individualism and the environment
3. Explain the relation between eastern ideologies and the environment
4. Discuss ideologies of environmental domination
5. Discuss ideologies of environmental domination
Discuss the organizational of the modern ecological society
1. Explain the tragedy of the commons
2. Discuss recycling in the United States
3. Explain Community Supported Agriculture
4. Discuss smart growth
Discuss Water Quality concerns in Iowa
1. Explain the cause of Nitrogen Pollution
2. Explain the cause of turbidity
3. Discuss Iowa’s role in the Gulf Dead Zone
4. Discuss biological indicators of water quality.
Discuss the problems associated with Hog Confinements.
1. Discuss the use of antibiotics in Hog Confinements
2. Discuss Waste Disposal Problems and Hog Confinements
Discuss some possible solutions of soil erosion problems
1. Discuss no till agriculture
2. Discuss the use of terraces
3. Discuss buffer strips
Discuss some major human Animal relationship Problems in Iowa
1. Discuss Deer population problems.
2. Discuss the Canada Geese population problems
Discuss some of the most important problems with invader species in Iowa.
1. Discuss the problems with Garlic Mustard
2. Discuss the problem of the Zebra Mussel