This course will consider the ecological, political, cultural, and economic aspects of the global environmental crisis, focusing specifically on the problem of mass extinction. Many scientists are referring to the present moment as the sixth great extinction event in the history of the planet, but the first one will be caused by the activities of a single species (humans). In this class, we will examine the causes of the collapse in biodiversity and ecosystem viability, including overfishing, habitat destruction, trafficking in exotic animals, toxic pollution, warfare, and climate change. We will survey a variety of analytical approaches to the crisis, including conservation biology, deep ecology, green capitalism, environmental justice, ecofeminism, and social ecology. We will examine particular case studies and current events in order to apply theories and methods of social science to this global problem.

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