Introduction to Environmental Ethics
Philosophy 28 Summer Session II: July 31 – September 1, 2006
Social Sciences I – Room 149
Instructor: Christina Waters, PhD
Office: Porter D-129
Phone: (831) 459-2256
E-mail: xtina@ucsc.edu
Office hours: Mon. 10am – noon
http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/cwaters
The class meets Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6-8:30pm,
plus three Friday evening film screenings.
The course provides an introduction to selected philosophical ideas
relating to humans within the natural environment. We will explore
the actions of humans in relation to wilderness, dwindling natural
resources and non-human Others.
Required texts:
Reflecting on Nature: Readings in Environmental Philosophy, by
Lori Gruen & Dale Jamieson, Oxford University Press, 1994
The Abstract Wild, by Jack Turner. University of Arizona Press. 1996.
Friday Film Screenings
An Inconvenient Truth, (2006)
Grizzly Man, dir. Werner Herzog (2005)
Baraka, dir. Ron Fricke (1992)
Rivers & Tides – Andy Goldsworthy (2001)
Course requirements & Grading:
There will be two short take-home essays (40%), as well as an inclass final examination (30%) on the last scheduled class meeting.
Class participation (30% —25% verbal, 5% in-class writing) is
crucial. If you miss more than three classes you will have missed
one-quarter of the class. Out of fairness to colleagues who have
met their commitment to the class, you will not pass the course if
you incur more than three absences.
Even if you have to miss a class, you are still responsible for the
material covered.
No cell phones – no headphones in class! Laptop computers
allowed only with note from Disability Resource Center.
Week One:
Class One: Monday July 31
In the beginning. . . the Judeo-Christian context as setting the
stage for contemporary debate concerning stewardship of the
earth’s resources, animal rights, and the place of humans within
nature as a whole.
Brief history of environmental ethics and general discussion of
environmental concerns. Instrumental value vs intrinsic value of
Nature.
Readings for next class: p.14, selection from Genesis; p. 23, John
Muir”Anthropocentrism,”; p. 26 Aldo Leopold, “The Land Ethic,”;
p. 35 Vadana Shiva, “Staying Alive” and p. 37 Stephen Jay Gould,
“The Golden Rule.”
Class Two: Wednesday August 2
Anthropocentrism: Humans Beings and the Origins of Ecological
Thinking – Plato, Genesis & Descartes. Dualism – humans vs.
nature. Discussion of readings.
Reading for next class: articles by; Peter Singer, pp. 53-55 and
Paul Taylor, pp. 85-97.
Class Three: Friday August 4
No class tonight.
Assignment: See An Inconvenient Truth, in current release at the
Nickelodeon Theater.
Week Two:
Class Four : Monday Aug 7
Biocentrism: values in relation to the natural world. Discussion of
Taylor and Singer. Film discussion.
Reading for next class: p. 115, Bill Devall, from “Deep Ecology
and Radical Environmentalism”; p. 241, Ramachandra Guha,
“Radical American Environmentalism: a Third World Critique.”
Class Five: Wednesday Aug 9
Defending the Earth: Radical Positions – discussion of Devall and
Guha articles.What makes an act right? intention or consequences?
Reading: William Cronon “The Trouble with Wilderness”
available on-line: http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/cwaters
Class Six: Friday Aug 11
Begin discussion of Cronon article (20 minutes)
Screening of Grizzly Man
Reading for next Monday: Ch. 1-4 The Abstract Wild.
Handout: First paper essay questions.
Week Three:
Class Seven – Monday Aug 14
Discussion of Grizzly Man - compare with Guha critique.
Discussion of Cronon.
Continue reading The Abstract Wild.
Class Eight : Wednesday Aug 16
Discussion of Devall, Guha and Jack Turner.
Environmentalism & Wilderness
First Paper Due
Class Nine: Friday Aug 18
Screening of Baraka
Reading for Monday: p. 281, Lori Gruen, “Animals”
Week Four:
Class Ten : Monday Aug 21
Humans & Other Animals - Discussion of Gruen article
Return first papers & give out second essay topics
Reading for Wednesday: Val Plumwood, p. 142, “Nature, Self &
Gender”
Class Eleven: Wednesday Aug 23
Discuss Plumwood’s non-dualistic approach.
Discuss Turner: Wilderness, population, biodiversity.
Discussion of inter-species rights and duties; the relationship
between humans and other animals.
Reading: Handout – Robert Frodeman “A Sense of the Whole”
Finish Turner, The Abstract Wild.
Class Twelve: Friday Aug 25
Discuss Frodeman – 1/2 hour.
Reading for next class: Andrew Light interview and “Elegy for a
Garden” – on-line: http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/cwaters
Screening: Rivers & Tides 90 min.
Second paper due
Week Five:
Class Thirteen: Monday Aug 28
Film discussion – humans within nature. Discuss Plumwood, Frodeman,
and Light’s “environmental pragmatism.”
What is the meaning of “natural environment”? Natural vs human-made.
Return second papers
Class Fourteen: Wednesday Aug 30
Wilderness and Jack Turner. What does it mean to “save the
planet”? Does it need saving? Nature as sacred – Wilderness as
sacred. The eco-feminist solution. Starting from where we are.
Overview and review
LAST CLASS: Friday - September 1
Final exam - in class.