SOCIAL THEORY

"There is nothing as practical as a good theory"

Kurt Lewin (1943)

NRS 591 is an intensive examination of contending theoretical frameworks of human action and social processes from psychology, sociology, behavioral science, political science, and economics. The course surveys classic and contemporary social theory, including normative and descriptive perspectives on behavior, society, and the human-nature relationship. Theories and concepts developed and/or applied to environmental, sustainability, conservation, or natural resources contexts will be focal.

https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/6473018013

The course is intellectually intensive—you are expected to operate at a high level of academic rigor and to curiously explore. Rigor and curiosity facilitate the opportunity to comfortably take risks with the course content and group discussions. To operate at this academic level and to curiously explore, you must:

• • • Proactively prepare for each week: Students should read and re-read assigned materials, prepare notes, interpretations, and arguments, and have discussions with fellow students in advance of seminar. Work is due by the start of class unless stated otherwise by the instructor.

    • Actively participate at every meeting: Active participation, which is expected and graded, is defined as: (a) preparation, (b) punctuality, (c) attendance, (d) engagement, (e) staying on track with the course schedule, (d) completing assignments, and (e) seeking support as needed.

      • • Attendance is mandatory; absence is only permissible as a university excused absence or for professional reasons discussed in advance with the instructor.

        • Regular, synchronous attendance is required; students should be cognizant of their enrollment as in-person or remote, and associated mode of attendance.

    • Act with professionalism: Professionalism includes the ability to express yourself clearly in written and/or verbal format. You are expected to provide summaries, analyses, interpretations, and opinions as called upon.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• • • Define and characterize theory in the context of science and empirical research.

    • Recall and describe common theories and concepts applicable to environmental contexts.

    • Judge seminal and contemporary arguments and evidence that support or critique theory.

    • Identify and explain well-designed instances of theory development, testing, and use.

    • Demonstrate an ability to develop, test, and/or use theory inductively or deductively.

A letter grade will be determined by a student’s overall average during the semester:

• A/90%+: All expectations met or exceeded with high degree of skill, originality, and synthesis; displays in-depth comprehension; no substantive deficiencies or only minor.

• B/80%+: Most expectations met or exceeded with skill; displays good, if not in-depth, comprehension; only minor substantive deficiencies.

• C/70%+: Acceptable level of comprehension to satisfy the requirements of an assignment or course; despite deficiencies, demonstrates basic level of understanding.

• D/60%+: Less than satisfactory expectations met; more than one significant deficiency indicates a rudimentary level of understanding or application.

• F/60%-:Unacceptable level of expectations met and/or requirements of assignments; deficiencies indicate lack of understanding, effort, or engagement.