Course Archives
Professor Merchant taught courses in environmental history, philosophy, and ethics at UC Berkeley for over three decades. Below are archived materials from her undergraduate and graduate courses.
ESPM 160
American Environmental and Cultural History
A comprehensive survey of American environmental history from pre-colonial times to the present, examining the relationship between humans and nature across different cultural perspectives.
Includes: Lecture outlines, study guides, and slide presentations
View Course MaterialsESPM 161
Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
An exploration of environmental ethics and philosophy, examining diverse perspectives including deep ecology, ecofeminism, environmental justice, and sustainable development.
Includes: Lecture outlines, study guides, and readings
View Course MaterialsAbout These Courses
These courses were part of the Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) program at UC Berkeley. ESPM 160 fulfilled the American Cultures requirement and was popular with students from diverse majors. ESPM 161 provided philosophical foundations for environmental studies.
The course materials draw extensively on Professor Merchant's books, including:
- Major Problems in American Environmental History (textbook for ESPM 160)
- Radical Ecology: The Search for a Livable World (textbook for ESPM 161)
- Key Concepts in Critical Theory: Ecology (reader for ESPM 161)