3.0

Average Course Rating

What if waste—something we often overlook as mere garbage—held significant political and social power? This course invites students to explore waste as a complex and deeply political subject, examining how pollution and discarded materials impact ecological and social systems in ways that are both profound and frequently unnoticed. Through interdisciplinary perspectives from political science, anthropology, philosophy, and the natural sciences, students will critically engage with issues such as plastic and food waste, nuclear waste, waste colonialism, and the concept of “wasteland.” Course activities, including lectures, discussions, film screenings, and virtual art exhibits, will delve into themes like the intersections of waste, racism, environmental justice, and the role of art in responding to pollution. By the end of the course, students will develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills to better understand and address contemporary environmental challenges.