ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse

Winter 17Course Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR
Jessica Hernandez (Chorti, Zapotec, and Yucateco)
Email: @uw.edu | Website:
Office Hours: By Appointment Only

FACULTY TEACHING MENTOR

Dr. Daniel Vogt
Email: @uw.edu | Website:

Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30 AM- 11:50 AM

ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
Course Description:

This course examines the concept of environmental justice through a decolonization lens
giving a voice to those who have been silenced in the official environmental discourse. Through
guest presentations, group work, facilitated discussions, readings, and inclusive teaching
strategies students will examine & explore current and past environmental justice cases. Some of
the cases include; the Dakota Access Pipeline, Flint, Michigan, San Joaquin Valleys Drinking
Water, etc.

Grading Scale:

A ... 96 - 100 4.0 B+ 87 .. 3.2 C+ .79 .. 2.4 D+ 67 1.2

A ... 94 - 95 ..3.9 B .86 .. 3.1 C+ .....78 .. 2.3 D . 66 1.1
A- ... 93 3.8 B . 85 .. 3.0 C+ .77 .. 2.2 D ..65 1.0
A- 92 ... 3.7 B ..84 .. 2.9 C 76 . 2.1 D . 64 0.9
A- .....91 ... 3.6 B- .83 .. 2.8 C- ...72 1.7 D- 63 0.8
A- 90 ... 3.5 B- .82 .. 2.7 C- . 70 ..1.5 D- 62 0.7 (the lowest passing grade)
B+ 89 ... 3.4 B- .81 2.6 D+ ..69 . 1.4 D- 61 0.6
B+ 88 ... 3.3 B- ..80 . 2.5 D+ ..68 ..1.3 F .. 60 0.5

Late Assignments will not be accepted after a week past the deadline. Late assignments will
lose 0.5 points/day its late (i.e. an assignment that is a week late will lose 2.5 points). Please
check canvas for important deadlines.
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Reading Response and Critical Analysis Discussions 45% (45 points)

* Due every Saturday at 11 AM: Weekly submissions.
You are required to submit a weekly online discussionvia canvas (5 points each). Your discussion
entries must be at least 200 words and properly cited. Your discussions must include analysis of the
readings for that week with proper references to these readings. You can also include analysis of the class
discussions, films, speakers, and/or internet sites we visit, as well as your own personal reflections of the
topics and issues discussed in class. The discussions will be displayed in a public class forum. Students
will be divided into 4 groups to allow feasibility for reading and interacting with one another. Feel free to
respond to your group members and pose questions.

Group Presentation 15% (15 points)

*Multiple Deadlinescheck your group assignment.
You will be divided into groups in the second week of classes. Your group will be responsible for
overseeing the discussion for 1 hour on the day assigned. Your discussion and power point presentation
must focus on the readings and topic for that day. Your presentation should not be just a summary of the
readings but should critically analyze key points, themes, or issues raised by the authors. You must
provide at least five questions for the class to discuss.
ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
Environmental Justice Showcase Symposium 25% (25 points)
*March 6th (Monday) & March 8th (Wednesday)
You will be expected to choose an environmental justice case from: https://ejatlas.org. Once you
decide on your case please list it on the Discussion entitled Environmental Justice Showcase
Symposium to avoid duplicate presentations covering the same one. The presentation should be
a summary with a critical analysis that will be presented to the public. Make sure to check
whether or not another student has selected that case before signing up for it. The event will take
place at the Forest Club RoomAnderson Hall Room 207.

**Event is opened to the public so please advertise our event flyer. Light continental breakfast
will be provided.

Final Paper 15% (15 points)

*Due on Saturday, March 12th by 11 AM. Submit on canvas.
You must submit a final paper on the EJ case you present at the symposium. Your final paper
should clearly articulate your case. It should be a properly cited essay, 4-4 pages in length, typed,
stapled, and double-spaced. Your essay will be graded on content, clarity, grammar, organization, and
your use of the reading and outside sources.

Extra Credit 3% ( 3 points)

*Due on Saturday, March 12th by 11 AM. Submit on canvas.
A r list of 5-7 articles, documentaries, and/or videos that you recommend should be included in the course
syllabus. Highlight a major reason each reading, documentary, and/or video should be included in this
course ESRM 490 B (e.g. its contribution to the course), and provide a full citation of the article,
documentary, and/or video.

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Technology Policy: Use of your computers in class is restricted to taking notes and
researching subjects related to the class and/or discussion. We will not tolerate computer or
phone use for social networking, texting, or checking your email. We ask everyone to show
respect to the instructors and your fellow classmates. The subjects we will be covering are
sensitive material and we have aligned guest speakers and panelists for each week.

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RELEVANT WEBSITES, BOOKS, & VIDEOS:

http://www.ejnet.org/ej/
https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/environmental-justice-movement
Van Jones - Environmental Justice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WMgNlU_vxQ
https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
http://grist.org/article/the-end-of-federal-environmental-justice-as-we-know-it/
Environmental Justice: Peggy Shepard;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJX_MXaXbJA
ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
Smith, L. (1999). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples.
London : Dunedin, N.Z.: Zed Books ; University of Otago Press.
Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Program. (1996). Environmental justice. Aberdeen
Proving Ground, MD: The Program.
Walker, G. (2012). Environmental justice. London ; New York: Routledge.
Decolonization Journal, http://decolonization.org/index.php/des/
Dirty Oil Sands (2012). Quick facts. http://dirtyoilsands.org/thedirt/article/quick_facts/
Dr. Devon Peas Environmental and Food Justice Blog http://ejfood.blogspot.com/
First Nations Resurgence Website, http://firstnationsresurgence.wordpress.com/
Honor the Earth Website, http://www.honorearth.org
Idle No More Official Website, http://idlenomore.ca/
Indigenous Action Media, http://www.indigenousaction.org/about-2/
Intercontinental Cry Magazine, http://intercontinentalcry.org/indigenous-resistance-in-
canada/
Indigenous Environmental Network, http://www.ienearth.org/
Indigenous Nationhood Movement, www.nationsrising.org
La Via Campesina website, http://viacampesina.org/en/
Unsettling America. Decolonization in Theory and Practice. Online Journal
http://unsettlingamerica.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/the-indigenous-fight-against-
colonial-veganism/

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OUTLINE OF TOPICS/WEEK:
Week 1: Theories and Movements in Environmental Justice and
Decolonization

Wednesday, January 4

Readings: Destabilizing the Settler Academy: The Decolonial Effects of Indigenous

Methodologies, Environmental Justice: An Interview with Robert Bullard, & Principles of
Environmental Justice (EJ).

In class: What is decolonization? How can weas scholars (power & privilege)decolonize
the environmental discourse? What is environmental justice?
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WMgNlU_vxQ) Is environmental justice achievable?
What measures are governmental agencies like the EPA taking for environmental justice?
(https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice) Will these change under the new administration?
(http://grist.org/article/the-end-of-federal-environmental-justice-as-we-know-it/)

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 ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
Week 2: Hurricane Katrina/Flint, Michigan and Rights of African
Americans

Monday, January 9

Readings: Where Black Lives Matter Began, Black Lives Matter in Environmental Justice,
Environmental Lead after Hurricane Katrina & (Skim) Hurricane Katrina-linked environmental
injustice: race, class, and place differentials in attitudes.

In class: What role does Black Lives Matter play in the environmental justice movement? How
did Black Lives Matter begin with Hurricane Katrina? Why was Hurricane Katrina a climate
injustice against African Americans? What is occurring at Flint, Michigan?

**Panel: Gregory Diggs, Winston Benjamin, Victoria Thomas and Brian Tracey.

Wednesday, January 11

Readings: Delivering Fresh Water: Critical Infrastructure, Environmental Justice, and Flint,
Michigan & Feeling the Pain of My People: Hurricane Katrina, Racial Inequality, and the Psyche
of Black America.

In class: Discussing the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis

Here is to Flint Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ULFSaMooA

**Saturday, January 14 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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Week 3: Indigeneity as Political Movement for Environmental Justice

Wednesday, January 18

Readings: Native Americans: Where in Environmental Justice Research?

In class: Guest speakers: Paul Wagner (Saanich, First Nations) & Dana Arviso (Din);
Indigenous Cultural Teachings and How it Connects Us to the Environment?

**Saturday, January 21 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
Week 4: Access to Clean & Drinkable Water: A Matter of
Environmental Justice

Monday, January 23

Readings: Environmental justice implications of arsenic contamination in Californias San

Joaquin Valley: a cross-sectional, cluster-design examining exposure and compliance in
community drinking water systems, AB 685The Human Right to Water, & (Skim) The Human
Costs of Nitrate-contaminated Drinking Water in the San Joaquin Valley

In class: Community Water Center: Advancing Community-Driven Water Solutions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTykf9lJR3o, Professor Craig Steinmaus shows how arsenic
in drinking water causes cancer years after exposure:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZMsm0-zhtI & Group 1 Presentation

Wednesday, January 25

Readings: Winona LaDuke: Keystone Pipeline on Native Lands?;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li0U73_TJuQ & Listening to the Unheard Native
Perspective; http://www.dailyuw.com/opinion/article_f9891b1e-ac7c-11e6-b4cf-
5f70141860d1.html.

In class: Guest Speaker, Dianne Baumann (Blackfeet), Voices from the Field #NODAPL

**Saturday, January 28 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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Week 5: Food Sovereignty & Justice/ DeFundDAPL: Vital City Council

Meeting

Monday, January 30

Readings: Winona LaDuke - Seeds of Our Ancestors, Seeds of Life;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHNlel72eQc&t=243s & What Happens When Native
People Lose Their Traditional Foods?; https://www.kcet.org/shows/tending-the-wild/what-
happens-when-native-people-lose-their-traditional-foods, Visit: http://www.voicesofmaiz.org/ &
Skim; http://ejfood.blogspot.com/2017/01/seed-sovereignty-documents-declaration.html.

In class: Food Sovereignty Panel; Dr. Charlotte Cote, Natalie Gasca, & Dr. Devon Pena

Wednesday, February 1

Class Cancelled: Students will participate in: DeFundDAPLVital City Council Meeting
 ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
For class: Take a picture at the rally. If you cannot attend for any reason, create a
#NODAPL poster and submit it me on class next Monday.

**Saturday, February 4 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due. Also choose your Environmental
(IN)justice case for symposiumwill be generating the programs.

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Week 6: Environmental Identity & Its Role in Environmental Justice/

Dismantling the Patriarchy in the Environmental Discourse (Ecofeminism)

Monday, February 6

Readings: The Intersections of Biological Diversity and Cultural Diversity: Towards

Integration, Food Identity and the Immigrant Experience, & Tracing immigrant identity through
the plate and the palate.

In class: Guest Speaker, Isabel Carerra, Cultivando Comunidad: A Community-Based Approach

to Study the Link between Cultural and Environmental Identities in Latino American Immigrants
Living in the Seattle Area

Wednesday, February 8

Readings: Revisiting gender ecology and eco-feminism: A profile of five contemporary women
water activists & Grassroots Activism: An Exploration of Women of Color's Role in the
Environmental Justice Movement.

In class: Eco-Grief and Ecofeminism, Heidi Hutner:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6FuKhjfvK8 , Julia Mason - An Ecofeminist Perspective;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NQbMVyPzRg , & Group 3 Presentation

**Saturday, February 11 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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Week 7: Educational Disparities in Environmental Justice/ Food

Sovereignty & Justice

Monday, February 13

Readings: Community-Based Design Research: Learning Across Generations and Strategic

Transformations of Institutional Relations Toward Axiological Innovations & Desettling
Expectations in Science Education
ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse
In class: Guest Speaker; Meixi Science teaching/ curriculum and environmental justice +
education and colonization.

Wednesday, February 15

Readings: Food justice or food sovereignty? Understanding the rise of urban food movements
in the USA & What you put in your mouth can change the world | Daniel Anthony |
TEDxMaui; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYy2FQbT1AU

In class: Group 2 Presentation

**Saturday, February 18 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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Week 8: Environmental Justice for US Prisoners & Detainees

Wednesday, February 22

Readings: Environmental Justice Activists Fight Plans for Federal Prison on Mountaintop-
Removal Site; http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36471-environmental-justice-activists-fight-
plans-for-federal-prison-on-mountaintop-removal-site , A Restorative Environmental Justice for
Prison E-Waste Recycling, & Prisoner (In)consideration in Environmental Justice Analyses;
https://gelr.org/2016/05/31/prisoner-inconsideration-in-environmental-justice-analyses/.

In class: Group 4 Presentation

**Saturday, February 25 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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Week 9: Climate Change Inequitably Impacting Marginalized Groups/ The

Role of Technology in Environmental Justice

Monday, February 27

Readings: Sinking islands, vanishing worlds, The Marshall Islands Are Disappearing;
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/12/02/world/The-Marshall-Islands-Are-
Disappearing.html?_r=0 & In the remote Marshall Islands, residents dream and save for years
for a new life in Arkansas;
http://showtime.arkansasonline.com/e/media/gallery/mi/articles/paradise.html

In class: Which communities are the most impacted by climate change? What is occurring with
the Marshall Islands? Where are the climate refugees relocating? Is it an environmental injustice
to relocate coastal people to a land lock state?
ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse

Wednesday, March 1
Readings: Indigenous Knowledge and Technology: Creating Environmental Justice in the
Twenty-First Century

In class: Reflection: Thinking about next stepswhat can we do to address environmental

justice? What action can we take? Is it enough to discuss it and spread awareness? & Group 5
Presentation

**Saturday, March 4 @ 11 AM, online discussion post due.

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Week 10: Final weekEnvironmental Justice Showcase Symposium (Open to

the Public)

Monday, March 6, & Wednesday, March 8

Location: Forest Club/ Time: Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 AM-11:50 AM (during class
time). Students must present a case from www.ejatlas.org. See assignment details for more
Information.
ESRM 490 B: Decolonizing the Environmental Discourse

Course developed by: Jessica Hernandez