This course is designed to introduce you to the sub-discipline of environmental sociology. Throughout the semester we will explore the interactions between the natural and the human-built environment. We will discuss factors of human society that have caused degradation of ecological systems. In order to understand contemporary environmental problems, we must critically look at the values and priorities of society that drive human actions. We will end on a high note by exploring how social movements have emerged in response to environmental degradation. We will specifically focus on the motivations and measures individuals, groups, and nations take to curb and/or prevent further environmental degradation.