Final Exam

1.   (TCO 8) What term is not associated with Amartya Sen's theory of justice?

2.   (TCO 8) The main point of John Rawls' discussion of justice is that:

3.   (TCO 8) A University of Massachusetts study refutes claims of pervasive environmental racism. Which of the following statements characterizes how this study was conducted?

4.   (TCO 8) Which system is tightly coupled?

5.   (TCO 8) Kai Erikson calls human induced disasters a "new species of trouble" because they have which of the following feature(s)?

6.   (TCO 8) Which of the following arguments contradicts the risk society theory?

7.   (TCO 9) The most important feature of the carnivalesque body is:

8.   (TCO 9) An important aspect of carnivalesque humor is that it:

9.   (TCO 9) Forever interacting and exchanging with the natural world is the most important feature of the:

10.  (TCO 9) What proportion of those polled in a survey of 43 nations expressed approval for the environmental movement?

11.  (TCO 9) Which of the following statements is TRUE?

12.  (TCO 9) "Human are part of nature and need to maintain a sense of balance and limits in an interconnected world." This statement best describes which paradigm?

13.  (TCO 9) To what does Ramachandra Guha attribute the robust environmental movement in India?

14.  (TCO 9) Which of the following is not "nature" or "natural" according to Aristotle?

15.  (TCO 9) Stephen Jay Gould replicated the craniometry research of Samuel G. Morton and concluded:

16.  (TCO 10) Which of the following phrases best characterizes the tragedy of the commons?

17.  (TCO 10) An important aspect of building both community and a dialogue of solidarities is:

18.  (TCO 10) The "bottom-up" approach alone to creating an ecological society is flawed because:

19.  (TCO 10) American pedestrians and bicyclists are killed at ________ times the rate of German pedestrians and cyclists.

20.  (TCO 10) The basic idea to model new developments on the kind of traditional neighborhoods that cities routinely turn into historic districts is called:

21.  (TCO 1) Over the past 7 to 8 weeks, how has your definition of environmental sociology changed?

22.  (TCO 2) Give a few examples of how capitalism has caused inequality in minority populations.

23.  (TCO 3) A number of social phenomenon discussed in this course vie as the leading cause of environmental problems: overconsumption of products, the problem of collective action, the Western ethos, population growth, social inequality, and uneven development, to name a few. Which do you feel is the most important, and why? Justify your answer sociologically, using detailed facts and figures from the course readings and any outside sources. Compare and contrast how these environmental problems impacts socioeconomic status and influences goods and bads.

24.  (TCO 4) What is the problem with utilitarianism and how does John Rawls' theory of justice as fairness improve upon it? Be sure to explain the difference between utilitarianism and justice as fairness.

25.  (TCO 5) The sociologist Maynard Haskins once wrote that, "The biggest environmental problem is not any of the gang of five usually pointed to--pollution, overpopulation, overconsumption, the treadmill of production, or our concepts of nature. Rather, the biggest environmental problem is social inequality, for it is ultimately responsible for all the others." Drawing on readings and lectures from this course, defend or critique Haskins' pronouncement. In your answer, be sure to discuss the role (or lack thereof) of social inequality in at least three of the "gang of five." Compare and contrast how these impact free market economics and capitalism.

26.  (TCO 6) Why is organic food a positional good? What other ways do wealthy people have an advantage in avoiding pesticides? How does this relate to global inequality? How are organic foods produced, marketed, and sold in a capitalist society? Compare and contrast the future of green businesses, green energy, organic foods, and ecotourism.

27.  (TCO 7) The author of your textbook states that, "the principle scholarly contribution of the book is the concept of ecological dialogue." Briefly explain what is meant by ecological dialogue and give an example or illustration. How can ecological dialogue be used to solve such complex issues in Environmental Sociology such as exploding population growth, degradation of our natural resources, poverty, debt, and hunger?