Taught By:
Janet Lorenzen
Associate Professor of Sociology
Willamette University
Read profile here.
Motivation for Teaching Social Action:
I would like more ideas about how to integrate social change and climate justice into course projects.
Course Description:
How are local activist groups taking action to address climate inequity and transition off of fossil fuels? And how do we support them? This course is about taking action against racial injustice and the climate crisis. More specifically, this course explores how social change happens by examining climate justice politics, policies, and activist tactics in Oregon. This course intentionally avoids a focus on problems (like the 4 Dās of doom, delay, division, and deflect attention) in order to focus on climate solutions. We will explore how social movements and other mechanisms of social change work toward climate equity. Students will explore activism by local environmental justice groups and climate equity coalitions. Students will also practice lobbying to support bills and work with local activists to support their goals. This may involve participating in local events outside of class time.
