American Environmentalisms After 1960

Environmentalism emerged as a political and cultural force in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. In this seminar we will study the historical development and transformation of contested “environmentalisms” after 1960 through primary documents including books, magazines, photographs, advertisements, and films. We will analyze portrayals of the environment in crisis, as well as criticisms of different strands of environmentalism for their challenges to ideas of economic growth and their struggles to address social inequalities, particularly those of class and race. Student work will include essays, oral presentations, and independent and group research projects. 3 hrs. sem.