Environmental Sociology

Course Description:The course "Environmental Sociology" aims to provide the students with a comprehensive conceptual, theoretical and empirical background to the interaction between social and natural world, by way of highlighting issues related to environment, sustainable development and resource governance.Human societies throughout history have shared an intrinsic relation with nature. Environmental factors always shape social phenomena, and human societies inevitably alter natural environment. In this broader context, this course aims to explore the relationship between human society and the larger natural environment, of which it is a part of. It is now acknowledged that environmental issues are inevitably social issues, and these can be understood by an examination of their social roots. The course, therefore, attempts to understand the social roots of ecological problems, and to unveil the social responses to the environmental problems. Besides, it examines the emergence of the concept of sustainable development, environmental conflicts and movements, and various approaches to resource use and varied responses to environmental risks.While attempting to understand the relationship between social world and natural world, it explores important theoretical perspectives like Ecological Modernisation, Treadmill of Production, Risk Society Thesis and Eco-philosophies.The course gives due importance to environmental issues, concerns and debates that have emerged in India in recent years, and discusses the environmental history and the rise of environmentalism in India.Course ObjectiveThe course aims to provide the students with a sound conceptual, theoretical and empirical background to the issues of environment, sustainable development and resource management; and prepare them for further research in the area.Course Learning OutcomesAfter completion of the course, the students will be able to:Explain the main concepts, theories, debates and empirical practices on the interaction between environment and society.Differentiate between different paradigms and discourses on nature and its use by societyDescribe current theoretical and empirical debate on environmental movements and sustainable resource management practicesEvaluate policies and practices concerning environmental governance and sustainable development.Appropriately apply different theories and methodologies of research in different contexts relevant to environment and sustainable development