Professor Judy Pelham
pelham@yorku.ca
Office Location:  S440 Ross Building
Phone Number:  (416)  736-2100 Ext. 44721
Office Hours:  TBA

In this course our subject will be justice and the environment. In 2023 there are many grave problems facing Earth: climate change, ocean and freshwater pollution, species habitat loss, steep decline of biodiversity, to mention only some. In this seminar course we are going to read about and discuss issues related to the philosophy of the environment. In particular, we are going to look at philosophical views that consider our relationship to nature, to land, to water and the biosphere.  We will begin my reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer, who has a special perspective on the relationship of persons to where they live.

We will use an eClass website to hand out some class material, as well as class announcements, and to some extent (to be announced) for class assignments.  I do not expect Zoom to play significant role in the class.  Although students may speak with me using Zoom for a one-on-one meeting.  This course will require access to a computer connected to York University system about once a week for an hour or so.

Braiding Sweetgrass. Robin Wall Kimmerer. Milkweed Editions 2013.

There will be additional course readings as will be fully outlined in the course syllabus to be discussed at the first class.

(to be discussed at the first class)

Short Paper: 15%

Class presentation: 20%

Class discussion & participation: 15%

Final Paper: 50%

This is a seminar course.  Each week we will meet in person in BSB 207.  I will lecture for some portion of each class, but I would not want this to exceed a total of 60 minutes out of the three hours.  There will be readings assigned for each week, and students are expected to prepare each week by doing those readings, and showing that by listening and participating in discussion.  Participation in discussion will be part of the grade.  Also students will be asked to write for the class, as well as do at least one class presentation.  Each class will have a break of about 20 minutes for lunch in the middle.  We will also use York's eClass system, the library system at York, and perhaps other special events in the course.

Here are some useful links for students concerning computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To deepen our understanding of the role of the environment in our lives as well as to understand the role of philosophical argument and value in discussions of the environment.

- To improve all students' writing skills at an advanced level, in terms of accuracy of expression, conciseness of expression (as opposed to padding or repetition), and persuasiveness.

- To improve your ability to speak to your peers and others in an organized and understandable way, to encourage them to listen and understand you. To increase our ability to enter into dialogue with one another.

- To experience being part of a community of people who are interested in learning from one another and sharing what they know about the environment.

- To understand how fundamental philosophical premises have a profound effect on practical decisions and well-being.