ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY, & SOCIETY: Just & Transformative Futures

The design and control of nature was a central theme in the development of modern science and technology. Today however, we are confronted daily with nature seemingly out of control–from heatwaves and wildfires to flooding and droughts. How did we get here? What is the human role in these events, and how is industrialization, government, and the advancement of design, science, and technology related to our transforming environmental conditions? This interdisciplinary course draws on social theory, environmental history, anthropology and sociology, tactical art and design, and science and technology studies to investigate the pressing questions of present day environmental issues. Throughout the course, we will examine how these environmental issues intersect with broader themes of social justice and explore how scientists and engineers are adapting their fields to confront these challenges head-on. Through visual art and group-based design exercises, this course will introduce you to critical making practices, enabling you to recognize, invent, and describe new approaches to environmental technologies and social relations. By the end of this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of key themes in science and technology studies and develop the ability to critically analyze contemporary social issues related to environmental health, justice, and economic development. This course aims to empower you to think creatively and make meaningful contributions to environmental and social change.