11.363 | Spring 2005 | Graduate

Civil Society and the Environment

Course Description

This graduate seminar examines civic engagement in international, national and local environmental governance. We will consider theories pertaining to civil society development, social movement mobilization, and the relations that nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have with governments and corporations. During the …
This graduate seminar examines civic engagement in international, national and local environmental governance. We will consider theories pertaining to civil society development, social movement mobilization, and the relations that nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have with governments and corporations. During the course of the semester, particular attention will be given to the legitimacy and accountability of NGOs. Case studies of NGO and community responses to specific environmental issues will be used to illustrate theoretical issues and assess the impacts that these actors have on environmental policy and planning.
Learning Resource Types
Projects
Written Assignments with Examples
A photograph of environmental protesters in the Czech Republic.
Environmental protest to save a protected area in the Czech Republic. (Image by Prof. JoAnn Carmin.)