How do Ontario teachers’ pensions impact access to water in Chile? Why are Indigenous communities challenging carbon markets touted as a solution to climate change? What does a country’s debt have to do with natural resource management?
These are some of the questions we will be discussing in this course as we study socio-environmental struggles in the global South within the broader contexts of global capitalism, colonialism and imperialism. Weaving theory together with case studies of social movement organizing, we will examine how global and local forces interact to shape rural and urban environmental conditions in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Student Testimonials:
“While a lot of environmental studies classes choose to focus on the bad, this course had a refreshing balance of diving into issues while also looking at what real people are doing to make a difference. It was definitely one of the most interesting and practical courses I have taken in the department.”
– Rachel Schafer, 3rd year Global and International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies
“GEOG 3209 cemented by understanding of the myriad forces and power dynamics that influence socio-environmental conditions in the global South. Guest lectures by representatives of movements or NGO at the frontlines of environmental struggles contextualized the course material by situating it in real-world circumstances.”
– Nathaniel Holloway, 3rd year Environmental Studies Student
“GEOG3209 is an immersive and interactive course that offers students insight into sustainability and various environmental implications associated with development. The incorporation of guest lecturers gives students the opportunity to engage with actors in the field.”
– Rachel Woods, fourth year BGInS student specializing in global development
“Sustainability in the South was a very interesting course where I got to learn a lot on the impacts which environmentally harmful industries have on communities around the world. I think this course is very important to anyone interested in environmental sustainability and justice, because it goes beyond the traditional science-related explanations for environmental problems.”
– Gracelyn Redden, 3rd year Global and International Studies student