Essays should demonstrate knowledge of the course material and be critical and analytical. You should draw on at least 2 course texts. Do not write a paper that is simply expository (descriptive). Instead you need to develop an argument that emerges out of a concrete thesis and leads to a definite conclusion. To do this you will probably have to interpret the following questions loosely–as broad themes rather than narrow questions. Do not hesitate to put your own personal imprint on your work. You are encouraged to draw on the lectures, discussions, films, in addition to the readings, in developing your essay.
- The anthropocene poses new challenges for how humans understand their relationship to “nature.” Write an essay that examines how different conceptualizations of socio-natural relations have impacted social movements and social theories. What conceptualizations do you see as most promising for social theory and social movements in our current global ecological crisis. -2 course texts:
Angus, I. (2016). Facing the Anthropocene: Fossil Capitalism and the Crisis of the Earth System. Monthly Review Press.
Foster, J. B. (2000). Marx’s Theory of Metabolic Rift: Classical Foundations for Environmental
Sociology. American Journal of Sociology, 105(2), 366-405