The application of multicultural ethical theories to the understanding of our relations to the environment, including animals and the rest of the natural world. Ethical dimensions of major environmental problems and solutions will be critically evaluated.

1) To develop an understanding of the historical and theoretical foundations of environmental ethics.

2) To develop an understanding of major philosophical issues in environmental ethics.

3) To develop the ability to apply ethical criteria in the analysis of major environmental issues.

1) Definitions: what is ‘ethics’; what do we mean by ‘environment’ and ‘nature’.

2) Brief introduction to major ethical theories, both Western and non-Western.

3) Religion, science, technology, and the environment: history and issues.

4) A summary of major environmental issues, including:

a) air, water and land pollution,

b) endangered species and ecosystems,

c) animal rights and vegetarianism,

d) genetic engineering and cloning,

e) economic dimensions, including resource allocation,

f) population,

g) Third World and indigenous peoples impacts.

h) radiation

i) ecofeminism

j) spirituality

5) Application of ethical theories to specific various environmental issues. (More time will be spent on this particular component of the course.)

6) Ethical evaluation of various types of environmental activism.

Attendance, class and Internet discussion (10%); class presentation (10%); quizzes, tests, and exams (50%); final research paper or project (30%).

V. Required text: Course Reader (available at Copy Edge) Additional materials will be made available in the form of handouts and also on the Internet. (over)

VI. Class Format: Classes will be a mixture of lectures, discussions, videotapes and films.

VII. Office Hours: Students are encouraged to make use of office hours: Tues. TBA, Wed. 1-2 and by appointment. HUM 549, 338-3140. E-mail: namofo@jps.net.

VIII. Internet: All students should have access to the Internet. Free accounts and terminals are available on campus. Resources for the course are available through the homepage entitled "Resources for the Students of Dr Ron Epstein", which is located at: http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Welcome.htm.

An online discussion group exclusively for students in this class is available on the SFSU Listserv. Subscription to the group is free and strongly recommended. Extra credit will be given for significant and thoughtful participation. Instructions for subscribing will be given in class.

Van DeVeer and Pierce, eds. Environmental Ethics and Policy Book

Rockefeller and Elder, eds. Spirit and Nature.

Mark Sagoff. The Economy of the Earth.

Theodore Roszak. The Voice of the Earth.

Frans de Waal. Good Natured: the Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals.

David Abram. The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World.

Carolyn Merchant. The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology and the Scientific Revolution.

Mae-Wan Ho. Genetic Engineering Dreams or Nightmares, The Brave New World of Bad Science and Big Business.

Hargrove, Eugene C. Foundations of Environmental Ethics. Environmental Ethics Books, 1989.

Van DeVeer, Donald and Pierce, Christine, eds. The Environmental Ethics & Policy Book. 2^nd ed. Wadsworth, 1998.

Cobb, John B., Jr. Is It Too Late? A Theology of Ecology. Environmental Ethics Books, 1995.

Dizzard, Jan E. Going Wild. Massachusetts University Press, 1994.

Sagoff, Mark. The Economy of the Earth: Philosophy, Law and the Environment. (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Public Policy). 1988, rpt. 1990: Cambridge UP, 1990.

Mills, Stephanie, ed. Turning Away from Technology. Sierra Club, 1998.

Norberg-Hodge, Helena. Learning from Ladakh. Sierra Club, 1991

Tokar. Brian. Earth for Sale: Reclaiming Ecology in the Age of Corporate Greenwash. South End Press, 1998.

Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy: the Plunder of Nature and Knowledge. South End Press, 1997.

Rifkin, Jeremy. The Biotech Century: Harnessing the Gene and Remaking the World. Penguin/Putnam, 1998.