Culture is a unique means by which societies satisfy human needs and manage natural systems.
It is intimately bound up with the basic social, economic, and institutional processes that give rise to environmental problems in all societies. In this sense, many of our current environmental problems could be understood and solved if we understand the conflicting cultural systems and values that give rise to the problems. This is an interdisciplinary course and it examines how people in different cultures relate to each other and to the natural environment. It also explores how cultural differences and historical specificity shape and influence particular environmental discourses and practices. Particular attention is given to the role of indigenous cultures in environmental management.