Philosophy 245: Environmental Philosophy
Ned Hettinger
T, Th 1:40-2:55, ECTR 111
Fall 2005
Office Phone: 953-5786
Email:hettingern@cofc.edu
Webpage: www.cofc.edu/hettinger
Office: 16 Glebe, Rm. 201
Off. Hrs: Wednesday, 10-2
(Also, stop by my office or make an appointment)

Course Description

This course examines recent writings of several contemporary environmental philosophers, including Holmes Rolston's Conserving Natural Value and Emily Brady's Aesthetics of the Natural Environment. The focus is on Rolston's philosophy of conservation and the emerging field of environmental aesthetics. Topics include the nature/culture distinction, the value of wildness and biodiversity, the distinction between protecting individuals and protecting systems, the nature of environmental aesthetic appreciation and how it differs from the aesthetic appreciation of art, and the relation between environmental aesthetics and environmental conservation. The course also looks briefly at some other contemporary movements in the field of environmental philosophy, including environmental virtue ethics, urban environmental philosophy, and environmental political philosophy.

This course is not an introductory survey of the field of environmental ethics (such an introduction is provided by Philosophy 155: Environmental Ethics). Although having a previous course in environmental ethics would be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite. Rudimentary concepts and ideas will be explained, but the assumption is that students will do the necessary work on their own to make sure they are understood.

Texts

Holmes Rolston, Conserving Natural Value (1994) (at bookstore)
Emily Brady, Aesthetics of the Natural Environment (2003) (at bookstore)
Readings to be made available on the College Library's ereserves page.

Course Requirements

Exam on Rolston's Conserving Natural Value (16%)
Exam on Brady's Aesthetics of the Natural Environment (20%)
Exam on Vogel, Gunn, Cafaro and Goodin (9%)
Major Paper, including a paper proposal (30%). A 6-8 page paper on some topic of your choice in the area of environmental philosophy.
Paper Presentations (5%): Each student will give a paper presentation to the class. A one page synopsis of the paper will be turned in at the beginning of class before the presentation. The presentation should explain the issues and arguments in your paper. This means that significant work on the paper will need to be completed before the presentation. Classmates and the instructor will ask questions about and provide suggestions for the paper. The instructor will then provide written comments on the synopsis. Students will sign up for dates to present their paper (Nov 8-Nov 15)
Reading Quizzes (10%), Class Participation (5%), and Attendance (5%): There will be brief quizzes at the beginning of class on the reading for that class period, typically one per week. There will be no make ups, but I do offer "free quizzes" allowing students to replace missed quizzes. Class participation includes general quality of class involvement. Attendance is particularly important in this class. I want you to learn from each other. Also, developing the skill of thinking philosophically requires practice and following examples. These can't be adequately done on your own. Poor attendance will lower your grade; extremely poor attendance (missing over two weeks of classes) is a sufficient ground for failing the course. I give assignments and distribute handouts and an attendance sheet at the beginning of class. Please come to class on time.