Fifteen claims: social change and power in environmental studies

Claims about social change and the dynamics of power permeate the environmental science and studies (ESS) curriculum. These claims are frequently implicit, under examined, and contradictory. Their acritical internalization by students and faculty can undermine the efficacy and relevance of an ESS ed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental studies and sciences 2015-06, Vol.5 (2), p.213-217
Main Authors: Maniates, Michael, Princen, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth and Environmental Science
Environment
Sustainable Development
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Summary:Claims about social change and the dynamics of power permeate the environmental science and studies (ESS) curriculum. These claims are frequently implicit, under examined, and contradictory. Their acritical internalization by students and faculty can undermine the efficacy and relevance of an ESS education. This essay describes 15 such claims and summarizes patterns of ESS student response from three workshops. We make no argument about which claims are superior, how social change occurs, or how political power is best analyzed. Instead, we seek to encourage those who design and deliver ESS programs to become more self-critical and intentional when disseminating, however unwittingly, claims about power and social change.
ISSN:2190-6483
2190-6491
DOI:10.1007/s13412-015-0247-7