Download Environmental Sociology in Taos, New Mexico SOC 4433.606 (3

Environmental Sociology in Taos, New Mexico
SOC 4433.606 (3 credit hours)
Dr. Beth Caniglia
[email protected]
Dr. Caniglia is teaching a special general education environmental sociology
course in Taos, NM during the 2014 July session. There are generous scholarships
available to cover living expenses and tuition (students pay for their
transportation to Taos). Scholarship applications are due Feb. 15.
Students will have fantastic accommodations at a lovely hotel, complete with a
swimming pool and in close proximity of downtown Taos. The in-Taos portion of
the class is two weeks: July 7-18.
This class reviews the field of environmental sociology, which is the study of
human-environment interactions. We will discuss the primary theoretical
approaches utilized by environmental sociologists to evaluate and explain
environmental problems and their solutions. We will also review several specific
dimensions of environmental problems. For example, we will learn about how
environmental goods and bads are distributed in society, how human health is
impacted by environmental conditions, and how environmental problems like
climate change impact communities differently. Finally, we will examine a handful
of commonly recommended solutions to environmental problems and evaluate
additional ways relations between society and the natural world can be
harmonized.
This class will be different than most because it is a field-based course, meaning
that our class will be in the field almost every day we are in Taos, New
Mexico. Our readings will provide background material that helps us to interpret
what we see during our field trips. Trips planned for our two weeks in Taos
include: a cultural horseback riding tour of the land surrounding the Taos Pueblo,
tours of the famous Earthship houses, a hike in the beautiful aspen forests of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, visits to both the Taos and Santa Fe Plazas, and two
educational hikes on the Rio Grande River.
Here are some helpful links for interested students:
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=242369
http://www.okepscor.org/dr-beth-caniglia
http://drca.okstate.edu/academics/activities
http://drca.okstate.edu/academics/2014-scholarships
http://drca.okstate.edu/academics/2014-courses