Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Environmental Anthropology (Face-to-Face)

ANTH 3500-01

Course: ANTH 3500-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: HSOC
CRN: 11080

Course Description

Environmental anthropology focuses on the relationships between human populations and their environments. This course examines the ways in which culture both influences the natural environment and is in turn shaped by it. Using theoretical ideas and ethnographic case studies, we will consider explanations for and understandings of the cross-cultural and historical variation that exists in the varied relationships humans have with their environments. Our deliberation will begin by unpacking the different conceptual frames humans draw upon when understanding the environment to understand how different populations approach burgeoning geopolitical topics like global climate change; resource access and extraction; social, racial, and environmental justice; consumerism; ecotourism; sustainability; and economic development. Although these topics will be addressed in the context of a wide range of ecological and cultural regions, a major component of this course requires students to reflect on the many concepts and ideas that apply to the region of Southern Utah.
 (Spring - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or ANTH 1020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- 

Required Texts

Li, Fabiana. 2015. Unearthing Conflict: Corporate Mining, Activism, and Expertise in Peru. University of California Press.

Khayyat, Munira. 2022. A Landscape of War: Ecologies of Resistance and Survival in South Lebanon. University of California Press.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will possess proficient knowledge of:
·      The primary ethical, methodological, and theoretical issues that guides research in environmental anthropology;
·      The social and cultural mechanisms behind human-environment relationships and some of the common problems that arise when assuming its universal application;
·      The many social, political, racial, economic, and other structural factors that shape people’s experience with the environment and its degradation;
·      The importance of historical pressures and events that shape environmental characteristics across diverse cultural contexts; and
·      The importance of cultural and social forces for understanding and addressing environmental challenges, conservation, and justice.

Course Requirements

 Attendance & Participation
 Utah Ecotourism Exercise
 Quiz One
 Quiz Two
 Quiz Three
 Semester Project – Environmental Hazards Are Skin Deep 

Course Outline

Week 1 - Course Introduction 
Week 1 - Human Frames & the Environment 
Week 3 - Global Ecologies 
Week 4 - Diversifying Ecology 
Week 5 - Extraction Economies 
Week 6 - Environmental Justice 
Week 7 - Environmental Justice 
Week 8 - Indigeneity, Environment, & Power 
Week 9 - Wildlife (?) & Conservation 
Week 10 - Spring Break 
Week 11 - Utah Ecotourism  
Week 12 - Landscape of War
Week 13 - Place, Narrative, & Environment
Week 14 - Place, Narrative, & Environment
Week 15 - Humans, Environment, and Culture
Week 16 - Final Exam Week

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

***Late assignments: sometimes I accept them, sometimes I do not. Almost all late assignments incur some sort of late penalty. If you have all semester to complete an assignment, I’m less likely to accept it late. If you are sick or otherwise unable to complete and submit assignments on Canvas, please email the instructor as soon as possible (preferably before the assignment is due).

Attendance Policy

This class is designated as in-person. Although much of the course is based on lectures, there will also be ample class time dedicated to discussion and collaboration. This means your participation and preparation will partly determine what you “get” from the class and what your classmates “get” from you. Barring illness, students are expected to attend each class meeting and be prepared to fully engage with the topics at hand. Randomized attendance will be taken and maintained as part of your grade, along with pop quizzes to ensure students are keeping up with course materials. To earn these points, you must both attend and actively participate in class discussions, as well as regularly submit coursework. Excused absences are possible but will be kept to a minimum. Please contact the instructor if you require an extended time away from class.

Course Fees

$4 per semester hour

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.