This course examines environmental justice organizing in a US and global context. Students will explore the disproportional impact of environmental racism and climate change on low-income communities of color in the US and globally. The course will examine both the history of environmental justice organizing as well as contemporary US and global efforts to organize for change. A particular focus will be on grassroots and coalition building as a strategy for environmental justice and climate change organizing.
This 1-credit graduate course will join the undergraduate, SW 312 course for a weekend intensive in Detroit. Transportation from Ann Arbor will be provided. You may also coordinate meeting the class in Detroit.
The full description for SW 312 is below:
This course will be an immersive experience in Detroit working directly with community organizers.
This course looks at movements, resistance, resilience, and liberation. Community Organizing is growing as an academic field, especially as it relates to urban studies. A growing body of evidence reveals that people of color and low-income persons have borne greater environmental and health risks than society at large in their neighborhood, workplace, and playgrounds. Over the last decade, grassroots activists have attempted to change the way governments implement environmental and health laws. Grassroots groups have organized, educated, and empowered themselves to improve the way government regulations and environmental policies are administered. There will be an in-person weekend intensive in Detroit working directly with community organizers. Other components of the course will be taught through online and in-person workshops. The weekend intensive will take place May 18th & 19th.
In a class setting, we will connect history, current events, and real-life experiences to local organizing and movement struggles that build power for our communities. These courses will utilize highly interactive popular education methods where participants share political analysis, learn facilitation and organizing skills, and think together about long-term, transformative strategies to build environmental, racial, and economic justice.
It is critical for organizers, activists, scholars, and community members to come together, connect our work with each other, share our experiences and place our local organizing within a larger historical and political context. We can build deep and strong social movements that act strategically and collectively over the long term.
Pathway Associations
Other SW757 Offerings
The course listings below are provided for reference only. These offerings may be subject to changed of cancellation.
No other course offerings found this term.