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Dept. of Human Ecology home

School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies

"I’d like to say to us as educators: poor are those among us who lose their capacity to dream, to create their courage to denounce and announce..."
   - Paulo Freire

Course Description

Environmental communication explores how messages about nature and the environment are transmitted in and through our culture - from the latest article on climate change in Science or Nature, to a report on pollution on the nightly news, to representations of the natural world in art and film. What makes an environmental message comprehensible, meaningful, and effective? Can we predict what the public will listen to and get out of an environmental message? Ultimately, how can we communicate more completely and accurately with diverse publics?

In this course we will explore different perspectives of environmental communication including, communication theory, media theory and analysis, environmental writing, science communication, cultural studies, and environmental literacy. Readings will cover a wide range of disciplines.Ê Periodic research and written assignments throughout the semester are aimed at developing an integrated understanding of the material.

In class

Class discussions are a central component of the course and will focus not only on the assigned readings but also on any developments of interest that occur during the semester. Students will write brief comments and an extended analysis of environmental communication based on a practical project of interest to students.

This course is one in which you will explore the issues; the instructor's role is to guide the discussion. Thus, you should expect to read, write, and participate in discussions a lot in this course.

Required Readings

Available for purchase at the Cook/Douglass Co-op Bookstore or vendor of your choice:

• Doug McKenzie-Mohr and William Smith, Fostering Sustainable Behavior, New Society Publishers, 1999.
• Susan K. Jacobson, Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals. Island Press, 1999.
• On-line readings will be posted on the course website and via library reserve.

Assignments

• Several short written assignments will be given throughout the semester, all are required, some will be graded.
• One short exam with multiple choice and short-answer questions will be given near the mid of the semester.
• An individual research-based short paper due near the mid of the semester will exemplify an understanding of core course material and establish a basis for the final project.
• A group research-based final project focusing on an environmental topic you’re interested in and want to focus on for the semester.

Weekly Class Topics (subject to improvement)

September 5, 2005 - Class 1. Introductions and course overview.

Week of September 12 - Communication: How does it work? What happens when it doesn't? The case for environmental communication: Why communicate? What are the challenges? What is environmental communication?

Week of September 19 - Setting the stage: American Environmentalism and the social construction of nature.

Week of September 26 - Is environmentalism "dead"?

Week of October 3 - Environment in the mass media: Intro. and fundamental tools. How does the news media work? Does it work for environmental issues?

Week of October 10 - Scientists, Advocates, the Media. The role of science and scientific conflict in environmental communication. What happens when scientists disagree? What is the role of science? What is the role of lay knowledge?

Week of October 17 - Communicating risk.

Week of October 24 - Environmental Literacy: What does the public need to understand?

DUE - Thursday October 24 at beginning of class - MIDTERM

Week of October 31 - Social marketing: The fundamentals. Should we “sell” issues of the environment the way we sell soap?

Week of November 7 - Designing environmental communication campaigns: Guidelines and Principles

Week of November 14 - Designing environmental communication campaigns with community in mind

Week of November 21 - The power of narratives

November 28 - Environmental Communication Problem Solving

December 5 - Program evaluation. Wrap up and presentations.

Week of December 12 - Class Presentations.

December 13 - Class Presentations

Reading days - Wed Dec 14 & Thur Dec 15

Friday December 16 - Final group paper/project due by 5:00 pm