Honors Section Course Description: This course will focus on familiar themes in environmental ethics and environmental justice. The course will begin with a survey of dominant theories of moral and political philosophy (value theory, utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, social contract theory), in order to motivate a foundation for the notion of human beings as stewards of an global ecosystem. We will move on to study in careful detail applied topics as they apply to the environment, such as food ethics, climate change, sustainability, and population. In particular, we will focus on whether environmental problems should best be understood in terms of biocentricism (the value of living beings and species), ecocentricism (the relationship of species and ecosystems), or anthropocentricism (the interests of currently living and future humans).

Catalog Course Description: Are there universal moral truths or is morality relative? What makes actions right or wrong, people good or bad, societies just or unjust? Students will discuss ethical theories that address these questions and will debate moral issues, such as abortion, genetic engineering, animal rights, feminism, and social justice.

Course Materials: Students should purchase a copy of the textbook, Environmental Ethics: Readings in Theory and Application, edited by Pojman, in either the 6th or 7th edition (ISBN: 0538452846)

Course Assignments: In addition to weekly quizzes and discussions, students can expect to complete an extensive capstone research project and ePortfolio, exploring in greater focus one or two themes from the course, or alternatively, participate in some extracurricular activity related to Environmental Ethics, Environmental Justice, or Environmental Activism.

Dedicated Time Requirement: Students should expect to spend about the same amount of time preparing for this course as you would one that meets on campus — 10 hours a week or so reading the text, reviewing the lessons, completing and preparing assignments, and participating in course discussions.

The course is entirely asynchronous, meaning we don’t meet any particular time. However, there are due dates throughout the week; notably for example, a discussion board post due each Wednesday at 11:59pm, a quiz due by Friday at 11:59pm, and the remainder of the weekly assignments due by Sunday at 11:59pm.

Please contact Prof Robert Robinson for any questions: rrobinson43@gsu.edu