PSC 272 - The Environment, Energy, and US Politics

Course Units: 1.0

Examination of how politics and policymaking affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. This course will explore key U.S. environmental issues and their scientific underpinnings as well as the connections between these issues and our collective use of natural resources. The course will review major pieces of federal environmental law in the United States and address the policy considerations, justifications, and regulatory frameworks underlying them, as well as the effectiveness of these laws in achieving a healthier environment. The course will also examine the respective roles of Congress, the executive agencies, and the courts in determining environmental policy. Prerequisite(s): PSC 111 or PSC 112 or sophomore standing. CC: SOCS ISP: AMS, ENS, STS