SRJC Course Outlines

3/29/2024 1:52:05 AMPHIL 12 Course Outline as of Fall 2017

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  PHIL 12Title:  ENVIRONMENTAL PHIL  
Full Title:  Environmental Philosophy
Last Reviewed:4/10/2023

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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An exploration of philosophical views about what makes the natural environment valuable and how these philosophies apply to selected environmental issues.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An exploration of philosophical views about what makes the natural environment valuable and how these philosophies apply to selected environmental issues.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1994
Inactive: 
 Area:E
H
Humanities
Global Perspective and Environmental Literacy
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 C2HumanitiesFall 1997
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 3BHumanitiesFall 1997
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1994Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1994Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.  Accurately describe and contrast theories in environmental philosophy (from the fields of
    ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy and, when relevant, epistemology and metaphysics).
2.  Critically evaluate theories in environmental philosophy (from the fields of ethics, aesthetics,
    political philosophy and, when relevant, epistemology and metaphysics).
3.  Apply selected environmental philosophies to current environmental issues.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the relationship between environmental philosophy and environmental science.
2. Describe and critique the traditional ethical theories that are relevant to environmental ethics
    (e.g. utilitarianism, deontology and natural law theory).
3. Evaluate the extent to which these theories place value upon various aspects of the natural
    environment (e.g. humans, animals, plants, species, ecosystems).
4. Describe and critique non-traditional theories in environmental ethics (e.g. biocentric ethics
    and the land ethic).
5. Describe and evaluate philosophies which emphasize a more metaphysical approach to
    environmental philosophy (e.g. Deep Ecology).
6. Describe and critique environmental philosophies that examine the interplay between the
    environment and social or economic issues (e.g. environmental justice, social ecology,
    and ecofeminism).
7. Describe and evaluate various theories in environmental aesthetics.
8. Compare and contrast how various environmental philosophies apply to selected global
    and/or local environmental issues or problems.

Topics and Scope
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I. Environmental Philosophy in Relation to Environmental Science
    A. The role of philosophy in environmental studies
    B. The role of science in environmental studies
    C. The relationship between philosophy and science in environmental studies
II. Traditional Ethical Theories in Environmental Philosophy
    A. Utilitarianism
    B. Rights theory
    C. Contractarian theory
    D. Natural Law theory
    E. Deontology
III. Non-traditional Ethical Theories in Environmental Philosophy
    A. Life-centered (Biocentric) ethics
    B. The Land Ethic (Ecocentrism)
    C. Deep Ecology
IV. Economic, Political and Social Issues in Environmental Philosophy
    A. Environmental justice/environmental racism
    B. Social ecology
    C. Ecofeminism
V. Environmental Aesthetics
    A. Thoreau: Wildness and nature aesthetics
    B. Environmental science as a basis for environmental aesthetics
     C. Artistic criteria for environmental aesthetics
VI. Philosophical Theories in Relation to Selected Environmental Issues
    A. Environmental philosophy and population growth
    B. Environmental philosophy and agriculture
    C. Environmental philosophy and global warming
VII. (Optional)  Spiritual/Religious Approaches to Environmental Philosophy
    A. Native American traditions
    B. Buddhist and/or Hindu traditions
    C. Taoism
    D. Christianity

Assignments:
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1. Regular reading assignments (20 - 30 pages a week)
2. Regular reading assessment: such as reading logs, brief summaries, brief response papers, or
    comprehension quizzes
3. Midterm assessments: examinations or short papers which demonstrate student ability to
    describe and critically evaluate positions in environmental philosophy and/or apply
    environmental philosophy to current environmental issues
4. Final assessment:  exam, paper, or project that demonstrates student ability to describe and critically
    evaluate positions in environmental philosophy and/or apply environmental philosophy to
    current environmental issues
5. May include (up to 10%) a creative assignment (e.g. original poetry, art, performance) that
    involves creatively expressing or illustrating an environmental perspective
6. May include (up to 10%) participation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
30 - 100%
Short reading responses, midterm papers, final paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
0 - 70%
Multiple choice, essay exams, short answer
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 20%
Participation (up to 10%); Creative project (up to 10%)


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Reflecting on Nature: Readings in Environmental Ethics and Philosophy. 2nd ed. Gruen, Lori and Jamieson, Dale. Oxford University Press. 2012 (classic)
Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril. Moore, Kathleen and Nelson, Michael. Trinity University Press. 2011 (classic)
Environmental Ethics: The Big Questions. Keller, David. Wiley-Blackwell. 2010 (classic)
Environmental Philosophy: From Animal Rights to Radical Ecology. 4th ed. Zimmerman, Michael and Callicott, Baird and Clark, John. Pearson. 2004 (classic)
Environmental Ethics: Divergence and Convergence. 3rd ed. Armstrong, Susan and Botzler, Richard. McGraw Hill. 2003 (classic)

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