Environmental Sociology
Code: 106752Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Sciences | FB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Josep Espluga Trenc
- Email :
- joseplluis.espluga@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Giacomo D'Alisa
Teaching staff (external to UAB)
- Àlex Boso
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
No prerequisits.
Objectives
The basic objective of this subject is to provide adequate knowledge of the main tools and concepts that have been
formulated in the social sciences for the study of the environment and the relationships between humans and
the environment.
The fact that it is a first-year subject means that it has an introductory vocation and, therefore, the topics will
focus on a small volume of basic but essential concepts to continue further training.
Specifically, the history and recent evolution of environmentalist social movements will be discussed.
The main theoretical models will be introduced to explain the relationships between environment and society,
with special emphasis on the analysis of socio-environmental conflicts. The perspective of 'social metabolism' will be introduced.
An analysis will be made of the different study perspectives of the social perception of risk and its implications in
political, social and cultural terms.
Learning outcomes
- CM09 (Identify aspects related to ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and obligations, diversity and democratic values throughout the development of environmental projects.) Identify aspects related to ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and obligations, diversity and democratic values throughout the development of environmental projects.
- CM10 (Identify in the field of the environment the origin of potential inequalities based on sex/gender.) Identify in the field of the environment the origin of potential inequalities based on sex/gender.
- CM11 (Work independently when tackling problems and practical sociological cases from the environmental field.) Work independently when tackling problems and practical sociological cases from the environmental field.
- CM12 (Transmit the basic sociological information associated with an environmental problem to members of the general public appropriately.) Transmit the basic sociological information associated with an environmental problem to members of the general public appropriately.
- KM16 (Identify the basic relationship between the principles and foundations of Sociology and environmental processes.) Identify the basic relationship between the principles and foundations of Sociology and environmental processes.
- KM17 (Recognise the history and recent evolution of environmental movements.) Recognise the history and recent evolution of environmental movements.
- KM18 (Recognise the impact of human activities and behaviour on the environment.) Recognise the impact of human activities and behaviour on the environment.
- KM19 (Identify the main sociological dimensions of a global world.) Identify the main sociological dimensions of a global world.
- SM17 (Collect and analyse sociological data and observations related to the historical evolution of the relationships between nature, society (social theories and the environment) and culture.) Collect and analyse sociological data and observations related to the historical evolution of the relationships between nature, society (social theories and the environment) and culture.
- SM18 (Express yourself using language in line with fundamental sociological information, clearly, explicitly and briefly.) Express yourself using language in line with fundamental sociological information, clearly, explicitly and briefly.
Contents
1. Social challenges of the ecological transition
1.1 The environmental, political and social context
1.1.1 The context of the polycrisis
1.1.2 The progression of green policies
1.1.3 The mutations of social movements
2. The perspective of degrowth
2.1 Society metabolism
2.1.1 Biophysical component of social metabolism
2.1.2 Social component of social metabolism
2.1.3 Economic component of social metabolism
3. Society/Nature dualities
3.1. In what sense are society and nature different things?
3.2. The human claim to dominate/exploit nature
3.3. Conflicting relationships between technosphere and ecosphere.
3.4. Rethinking the role of humans in nature
4. Environmental risks and social inequalities
4.1. The unequal distribution of environmental risks and benefits
4.2. The treadmill of production
4.3. The risk society
4.4. Gender inequalities and ecofeminisms
5. Social perceptions of environmental risks
5.1. The concept of risk and socio-environmental conflicts
5.2. The study of risk perceptions according to different theoretical traditions
5.3. The debate on the precautionary principle.
5.4. Current debates on the management and perception of technological and environmental risks.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studying | 65 | 2.6 | CM09, CM10, CM12 |
| Classroom problems | 12 | 0.48 | CM09, CM10, SM18 |
| Tutorials | 12 | 0.48 | CM11, CM12, KM16 |
| Theoretical lessons | 38 | 1.52 | KM18, KM19, SM17 |
| Problem solving | 23 | 0.92 | CM12, KM16, KM17 |
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collective Essay 1 | 20% | 0 | 0 | CM09, CM10, CM11, CM12, SM17 |
| Exam 2 | 30% | 0 | 0 | CM10, KM16, KM17, KM18, KM19, SM18 |
| Collective Essay 2 | 20% | 0 | 0 | CM09, CM10, CM11, CM12, SM17 |
| Exam 1 | 30% | 0 | 0 | CM10, KM16, KM17, KM18, KM19, SM18 |
Evaluation
The evaluation will consist of:a) THEORETICAL PART: 60% of the total grade. Written exam on the contents of the program.b) CASE STUDY: 40% of the total grade. Group analysis of a socio-environmental conflict.The student's grade will be the average of the two previous activities.
To pass the subject, you must obtain a minimum grade of 5 in both evidences.
If the student has only been evaluated for a maximum of 25% of the tests and leaves,
the final grade will be NON-ASSESSABLE.
RecoveryIf the exam grade does not reach 5, the student has another opportunity to pass the subject through
the retrieval exam that will be held on the date set by the degree coordinator.
In this test you can recover 60% of the grade corresponding to the theory.
If the subject is suspended for not having passed the case study, the teaching team may enable a
retrieval mechanism for this part of the grade.
Unique assessment
Students who have accepted the single assessment modality will have to take a final test that will consist
of a theory exam where they will have to developa topic and answer a series of short questions.
Then you will have to hand in an assignment where you will have to solve a case study similar
to those worked on in the Classroom Practice sessions.
The student's grade will be the weighted average of the two previous activities,
where the theory exam will account for 60% of the grade and the case study 40%.
If the final grade does not reach 5, the student has another opportunity to pass the subject through
the retrieval exam that will be held on the date set by the degree coordinator.
In this test you can recover 60% of the grade corresponding to the theory.
If the subject is suspended for not having passed the case study, the teaching team may enable
a retrieval mechanism for this part of the grade.
In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
Bibliography
Main references:
- BECK, U. (2002), “De la sociedad industrial a la sociedad del riesgo: cuestiones de supervivencia, estructura social e ilustración ecológica”, a: La sociedad del riesgo global, Madrid, Siglo XXI, pp. 75-112.
- COMMONER, B. (1992), “En guerra con el planeta”, a: En paz con el planeta, Barcelona, Crítica, pp. 11-23.
- D’ALISA, G., DEMARIA, F., KALLIS, G. (eds) (2015) Decrecimiento. Vocabulario para una nueva era, Barcelona, Icaria.
- ESPLUGA, J.; RUSCHEINSKY, A.; PRADES, A. (2018). “El concepto de riesgo y su aplicación al análisis de conflictos socioambientales”, a: A. Vallejos-Romero; J. Valencia Hernández & A. Boso (eds.) Riesgos, Gobernanza y Conflictos Socioambientales. Temuco (Chile): Ediciones Universidad de La Frontera. P. 69-90.
- ESPLUGA TRENC, J. (2025). Reptes socials de la transició ecològica. Barcelona: Generalitat de Catalunya.
- HERRERO, Y. (2016)."Prólogo a la edición española: ecofeminismo, más necesario que nunca", a: MIES, M.; SHIVA, V., Ecofeminismo, Barcelona, Icaria, pp.7-10.
- SCHNAIBERG, A. (1998). "Politizando la rueda de producción: Los programas de reciclaje de residuos sólidos en Estados Unidos”, Revista Internacional de Sociología, 19-20, pp. 181-222.
Additional references:
ASOCIACIÓN TOUDA (2013), Entrevista a Dennis Meadows, recuperada a:
https://www.asociacion-touda.org/2013/04/30/dennis-meadows-no-hay-nada-que-podamos-hacer/
BECK, U. (2009) The World at Risk, Cambridge, Polity Press.
BELL, M. M. (2009) An Invitation to Environmental Sociology. California. Pine Forge Press.
DUNLAP, R.E.; BUTTEL, F.H.; DICKENS, P.; GIJSWITJ, A. (2002) Sociological Theory and the Environment. Classical Foundations, Contemporary Insights.
Lanhan: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
GARCIA, E. (2004), Medio ambiente y sociedad. La civilización industrial y loslímites del planeta. Madrid: Alianza.
HARARI, Y.N. (2018). 21 lliçons per al segle XXI, Barcelona: Edicions 62.
IRWIN, A.(2001) Sociology and the Environment. Oxford. Polity Press.
LATOUCHE, S. (2008, original francès 2006), La apuesta por el decrecimiento. ¿Cómo salir del imaginario dominante?, Barcelona, Icaria.
LEMKOW, L.; ESPLUGA-TRENC, J. (2017), Sociología ambiental. Barcelona: Icària.
LÓPEZ CEREZO, J.A.; LUJÁN, J.L. (2000) Ciencia y política del riesgo. Madrid: Alianza.
MARTÍNEZ ALIER, J.; OLIVERES, A. (2005), ¿Quién debe a quién? Deuda ecológica y deuda externa, Barcelona, Icaria.
MONTAGUT, X.; DOGLIOTTI, F. (2006), Alimentos globalizados. Soberanía alimentaria y comercio justo, Barcelona, Icaria.
REDCLIFT, M and Benton, T. (1994) Social Theory and the Global Environment. London. Routledge.
RICH, N. (2020). Perdiendo la Tierra: la década en que podríamos haber detenido el cambio climático, Madrid: Capitán Swing.
RIECHMANN, J. & FERNÁNDEZ BUEY, F. (1994). “Ecologismo, proteccionismo, ambientalismo: una aproximación histórica”. Cap. 3 de:
Redes que dan libertad. Introducción a los nuevos movimientos sociales. Barcelona: Paidós. Pàgs. 103-116.
SCHNAIBERG, A. and Gould, K. A. (1994) Environment and Society. The Enduring Conflict. Caldwell. The blackburn Press.
SEMPERE, J.; RIECHMANN, J. (2000), Sociología y medio ambiente. Madrid: Síntesis.
SHIVA, V. (2001), Biopiratería. El saqueo de la naturaleza y el conocimiento, Barcelona, Icaria.
STIGLITZ, J.E. (2007, orig. Inglés 2002), El malestar en la globalización, Barcelona, Punto deLectura.
TAMAMES, R. (1995), Ecología y desarrollo sostenible. La polémica sobre los límites del crecimiento, Madrid, Alianza.
VARGAS, M. (coord) (2009), Agrocombustibles ¿otro negocio es posible?, Barcelona, Icaria.
WILSON, E.O. (2012). La conquista social de la Tierra, Barcelona: Debate.
Software
No specific software required.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 2 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | afternoon |