Semester.ly

Johns Hopkins University | AS.190.396

Capitalism and Ecology

3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

(4.79)

Capitalism and Ecology focuses on the relations between capitalism and climate during the era of the Anthropocene. How do capitalist processes of fossil extraction, consumption, production and governance contribute to the pace of climate warming, glacier flows, the ocean conveyor system, species loss and other phenomena? What are the effects and the possible modes of political response? How do the nonhuman, self-organizing processes such as glaciers, oceans and climate change on their own as they also amplify the effects of capitalist emissions? The course combines texts on capitalism and activism with those by geoscientists on how the nonhuman systems work. Books by authors in the fields of political theory, geology, anthropology, economics, philosophy and ethology will be drawn upon. Authors such as Michael Benton, Brian Fagan, Hayek, Naomi Klein, Fred Hirsch, Fred Pearce, van Dooren and Connolly are apt to be read to engage these issues. A previous course in political theory is recommended. The class is organized around student presentations on assigned readings. Two papers, 10-12 pages in length. Extensive class discussion.

Fall 2014

(4.83)

Spring 2013

(4.75)

Fall 2014

Professor: William Connolly

(4.83)

The best aspects of the course were the interesting topics and knowledgeable instructor. Students found the discussions to be engaging and informative. The worst aspect of the course was the abstract ideas. Students also noted that discussions were at times limited due to the smal class size. In order to improve the course, students suggested more engagement from their peers. Prospective students should know that it’s beneficial to have some background in political theory.

Spring 2013

Professor: William Connolly

(4.75)

The best aspects of this course included the opportunity to read varied materials on the subject; the instructor was also articulate and he facilitated class discussions with an engaging demeanor. Some 233 students felt that they didn’t receive enough critical feedback on their work. One suggestion included clarifying the expected format on the papers. Another student suggested changing the layout of the class presentations rather than having students read verbatim from their papers. Prospective students should know that previous coursework in political theory required; also, the reading is complex and dense for this course.