Environmental sociology examines the complex relationships between people, nature, and the natural environment. It focuses on questions such as: how environmental issues are known, defined and acted upon; why certain environmental issues are largely ignored or denied; the role of institutions and economic systems in shaping relationships with the non-human environment; how different social groups are affected by environmental change and problems; human-animal relations; human conceptions and cultural representations of the natural world; and the role of social movements in promoting environmental reform. While the course covers many topical issues, there is a major focus on what sociological thinking can contribute to understandings of environmental events, issues and politics and what analyses of these, in turn, contribute to sociological thought.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. apply sociological theories and concepts to explain environmental issues;
2. analyse the implications of environmental change for people, communities, flora and wildlife;
3. evaluate policy, community and other responses to environmental change; and
4. reflect on and discuss their learning in relation to the content of the course.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

The information published in this Class Summary may be subject to change, any changes in assessments or other course details will be communicated via Canvas and during the first week of the Semester. Any questions or concerns should be raised with the course convenor/lecturer as soon as possible.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Workshop 1. Introduction - the environmental sociological imaginationTuesday 24/2Case for discussion: the Nature of ANU campus	Tutorial 1. How do sociologists think about society and nature?Wednesday 25/2 or Thursday 26/2Reading: Holleman, Norgaard & Fenelon
2	Workshop 2. Capital and labour in world-ecology Tuesday 3/3Case for discussion: Australia's coal and live exports compared.	Tutorial 2: What is capitalist modernity and can it be sustained?Wednesday 4/3 or Thursday 5/3Reading: Moore, Mol & Spaargaren
3	Workshop 3. Environmental injustice and colonial déjà vu Tuesday 10/3Case for discussion: Water crisis in Wilcannia	Tutorial 3: What is Indigenous sovereignty and can sociologists see it?Wednesday 11/3 or Thursday 12/3Reading: Powys-Whyte, Watson
4	Workshop 4. Gendered environmental change Tuesday 17/3Case for discussion: Arnold Schwarzenegger	Tutorial 4: What does gender have to do with environmental change?Wednesday 18/3 or Thursday 19/3Reading: Connell, Haraway
5	Workshop 5. The nature of markets Tuesday 24/3Case for discussion: Australia's green markets (carbon, 'nature repair', green electricity)	Tutorial 5: Can markets solve environmental problems?Wednesday 25/3 or Thursday 26/3Reading: Fraser, Lohmann
6	Workshop 6. Green and brown bureaucracyTuesday 31/3Case for discussion: The destruction of Juukan Gorge	Tutorial 6: Are states ecologically rational, if not, can they be?Wednesday 1/4 or Thursday 2/4Reading: Rahman, Rea & Frickel
7	Workshop 7. Emotions and environmental harms Tuesday 21/4Case for discussion: Solastalgia and Wollar's mine void	Tutorial 7: Is environmental pollution an emotional or a political matter?Wednesday 22/4 or Thursday 23/4Reading: Hoschild, Norgaard & Reed
8	Workshop 8. Humans and other animalsTuesday 28/4Case for discussion: Australia's live exports	Tutorial 8: What's are the alternatives to human exceptionalism?Wednesday 29/4 or Thursday 30/4Reading: Wadiwel, Blok & Jensen
9	Workshop 9. Consumption, class and green habits Tuesday 5/5Case for discussion: Organic food markets	Tutorial 9: Do consumer-citizens have structural power, if not, so what?Wednesday 6/5 or Thursday 7/5Reading: Shove, Spaargaren & Van Vliet
10	Workshop 10. Experts, technocracy and democracy Tuesday 12/5Case for discussion: Carbon farming offset methodology debates	Tutorial 10: Can experts lead us out of environmental crisis?Wednesday 13/5 or Thursday 14/5Reading: Beck, Swyngeduow
11	Workshop 11. Social movements for and against environmental actionTuesday 19/5Case for discussion: Climate Strikes	Tutorial 11: What social movements are shaping the environmental future?Wednesday 20/5 or Thursday 21/5Reading: Peace, Goodman et al
12	Workshop 11. Environmental sociology and the futureTuesday 26/5	Tutorial 12: Review. What kind of sociology do we need right now?Wednesday 27/5 or Thursday 27/5

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Essay 1 (40%, 2000 words)	40 %	03/04/2026	1, 2
Research essay (40%, 2500 words)	40 %	29/05/2026	1, 2, 3
Participation (20%)	20 %	*	4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Essay 1 (40%, 2000 words)

Due: 5pm Friday 3 April

Weighting: 40% of your overall grade for SOCY2022

Length: 2,000 words (excluding references)

 

Task description

 The aim of this assessment is to develop your ability to construct and defend a sociological interpretation of a contemporary environmental issue. You will select one question from a set of options provided on Canvas. These questions are based on the core themes and debates covered in Weeks 1–6 of the course.

 

In your essay, you are expected to show how sociological concepts and theories shape how an environmental problem is understood, including how the problem is defined, what social forces produce it, and which responses appear possible or legitimate. Rather than expressing a personal opinion, your task is to demonstrate how sociological thinking changes the way the issue is analysed.

 

Your essay should draw primarily on the required and recommended readings from Weeks 1–6, and may also engage with additional relevant academic sources. Start with the recommended reading lists.

 

Assessment criteria

Your essay will be assessed on the basis of:

1. A thorough and focused analysis that directly answers the chosen question
2. Appropriate and critical use of academic literature
3. Clear sequencing of ideas into a coherent sociological argument
4. Clear and succinct written expression
5. Accurate citation and referencing using Harvard style

Questions (choose 1)

In answering your chosen question, you must engage with at least two distinct sociological perspectives introduced in Weeks 1–6 and draw on key authors associated with those perspectives.

 

1. How do sociologists understand the relationship between society and nature, and which foundational ideas are most important for understanding the contemporary global biocrisis?

 In your answer, compare and contrast at least two perspectives, such as classical sociological approaches and anti-colonial or Indigenous sociologies of nature. Discuss points of tension as well as complementarity between these traditions.

 

2. What is meant by capitalist modernity, and why do many sociologists argue that it produces environmental crises that cannot be resolved within existing modern institutions?

Your answer should compare ecological modernisation perspectives with ecological Marxist or other political economy approaches, and assess their different diagnoses of environmental crisis and reform.

 

3. To what extent are contemporary environmental problems shaped by histories of colonialism and environmental injustice?

In your response, analyse how sociological critiques of colonialism overlap with, diverge from, or extend critiques of capitalism, particularly those that link imperialism, extraction, and environmental harm.

 

4. What does gender have to do with environmental change?

Compare and contrast at least two sociological perspectives on gender and environment, and critically discuss how these approaches address (or risk reproducing) forms of essentialism.

 

5. Can markets solve environmental problems?

Using at least two sociological perspectives, evaluate the promises and limits of market-based environmental governance. You may compare ecological modernisation approaches with Polanyian critiques of commodification, and may also draw on feminist or anti-colonial perspectives where relevant.

 

6. Are states and bureaucracies capable of acting in environmentally rational ways?

In your answer, compare at least two sociological approaches to the state and environmental governance, and assess what these perspectives suggest about the possibilities and limits of bureaucratic environmental action.

Assessment Task 2

Research essay (40%, 2500 words)

Due: 5pm Friday 29 May

Weighting: 50% of your overall grade for SOCY2022

Length: 2,500 words (excluding references)

 

Task description

The aim of this assessment is to develop your capacity to undertake applied sociological analysis of an environmental issue. You will write a research essay that engages with one of the key themes and concepts covered in the course and applies sociological ideas to the analysis of a specific case study.

At the centre of your essay should be a clearly defined case (for example, a policy intervention, institution, market, controversy, industry, community, technology, or social movement). Your task is to interpret this case sociologically, using concepts and theories from environmental sociology to explain how social structures, power relations, institutions, and forms of knowledge shape the issue and its outcomes.

 

Your essay should demonstrate engagement with relevant course readings and may also draw on additional academic literature from environmental social theory. The emphasis should be on sociological explanation, not description or advocacy alone.

You may choose one question from the list below. If you wish to develop your own question, you must do so before Week 8 in consultation with Beck.

 

Assessment criteria

Your research essay will be assessed on the basis of:

1. Breadth and depth of relevant reading
2. Clear focus in response to the chosen essay question
3. Appropriate and critical use of academic literature and empirical evidence
4. Ability to develop a well-substantiated sociological argument
5. Clarity and precision of written expression
6. Logical and coherent essay structure
7. Accurate citation and referencing using Harvard style

 

Research essay questions (choose 1)

1. Apply the sociological imagination to the biography of a public figure in environmental politics.

What does this person’s life and career reveal about the structure of nature-society relations, and how individual agency is shaped by institutions, power, and history?

 

2. Analyse a case study of labour in the age of climate change.

Using one or more sociological theories, explain how climate change and environmental transition are reshaping work, skill, risk, or class relations in this case.

 

3. Analyse a corporation’s response to environmental reform.

What forms of power, constraint, and organisational tension are evident, and how do sociological theories help explain the limits and possibilities of corporate environmental action?

 

4. Apply the sociological imagination to an aspect of food production or consumption.

What sociological concepts best explain how social norms, markets, institutions, and inequalities shape the prospects for environmental change in this domain?

 

5. Analyse a case of green market expansion.

What roles do different types of experts (for example, scientific, economic, bureaucratic, or community-based) play in shaping the market, and what does this reveal about knowledge and power?

 

6. Interpret the emotions involved in an environmental conflict.

Using sociological theories of emotion, risk, or culture, analyse the 'deep story' articulated by one of the key groups involved in the conflict.

 

7. Analyse a contentious technology associated with an environmental issue.

To what extent can technological innovation contribute to environmental justice in this case, and what sociological factors limit or enable this potential?

 

8. Analyse a case of animal agriculture.

Do animals perform labour in capitalist systems in this case, and how do sociological theories of work, value, and human–animal relations help make sense of this question?

 

9. Apply the sociological imagination to a sustainability-focused consumer campaign.

To what extent can consumer-citizens reshape society–nature relations, and what sociological constraints shape the effectiveness of such campaigns?

 

10. Analyse a contemporary form of social inequality emerging in the context of climate change.

What sociological concepts best explain how this inequality is produced, experienced, and governed?

Assessment Task 3

Participation (20%)

Weighting: 20% of your overall grade for SOCY2022

 

Task description

The aim of this assessment is to support your ongoing preparation, participation, and intellectual development across the semester. Environmental sociology is learned through discussion, comparison of perspectives, and careful engagement with theory and empirical cases. This assessment rewards being present in class, taking up opportunities for feedback, and practising sociological thinking through regular, low-stakes writing.

 

Because there are many opportunities to earn participation points, this assessment is deliberately time-bound and in-class. It is designed to support learning as it happens, rather than retrospective submission.

 

Assessment structure

 Your participation mark is made up of three components, totalling 20 points. You can do more of these activities than you need, but your grade won't exceed 20 points.

 

1. Essay plan submissions (10 points total)

You will submit two essay plans during the semester:

·     Week 3 (5pm Friday 13/3): Essay 1 plan (5 points)

·     Week 9 (5pm Friday 1/5): Research essay plan (5 points)

These submissions are designed to support your major assessments by encouraging early writing, conceptual clarity, and engagement with sociological perspectives. Feedback at these points should be used directly in developing your essays.

 

2. Workshop in-class writing (10 points total)

There will be 10 workshop-based writing opportunities, run by Beck. These involve short, hand-written responses completed during class time in response to questions about the readings and workshop themes.

Each workshop submission is worth 1 point.

 

3. Tutorial in-class writing (5 points total)

 

There will be 5 tutorial-based writing opportunities, run by your tutor. In each selected tutorial, approximately 20 minutes will be set aside for in-class writing responding to a question based on the week’s readings and discussion.

 

Each tutorial submission is worth 1 point.

Submission rules (important)

All in-class writing submissions must be completed in class, by hand, on A4 paper in class. Essay plans can be submitted via Canvas.

No late submissions will be accepted.

No submissions by email will be accepted.

 

Because there are multiple opportunities to earn participation points across workshops and tutorials, missing a class does not prevent you from passing this assessment. The emphasis is on being present, engaging in real time, and taking up opportunities for feedback that support your essay development.

 

Assessment criteria

 Participation submissions will be assessed on the basis of:

           1.        Appropriate and critical engagement with course readings

           2.        Reflexive thinking in response to class discussion

           3.        Ability to unpack and interrogate sociological theory and empirical examples

           4.        Clear and concise written expression

 

This is a low-stakes assessment focused on preparation, thinking, and participation rather than polished prose.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

All assignments will be returned within 2 weeks of submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students