How do movies, TV shows, podcasts, social media posts, journalistic articles, and other stories shape our understanding of the environment? In a world saturated with media, how can we critically engage with the narratives that influence our perceptions of climate change, environmental justice, and sustainability? This course invites students to explore the power of environmental storytelling through a diverse array of media, including documentary and fictional films, podcast episodes, journalistic writing, photo essays, and visual art. Designed for freshmen and sophomores - though open to all undergraduates - this course provides an accessible entry point into climate change conversations and solutions-oriented environmental communication. Each week, students will be introduced to a curated piece of environmental media during the first class session. Through guided homework assignments, students will reflect on the content, context, and impact of the media, developing skills in critical thinking, media literacy, and environmental analysis. In the second session of the week, students will either participate in small-group discussions or engage in hands-on digital content creation, responding to the media through short videos, audio reflections, or visual storytelling. The course has three primary goals: 1. Critical Media Literacy - Equip students with tools to thoughtfully analyze and critique environmental media in an age of information overload. 2. Empowered Storytelling - Inspire students to contribute their own voices to the global conversation on climate change and environmental justice. 3. Accessible Engagement - Provide a welcoming, interdisciplinary space for students from all backgrounds - regardless of prior experience with environmental topics - to explore environmental communication and advocacy. No prior coursework or background in environmental studies is required. This course may be of particular interest to students considering a career in environmental sustainability, the Earth Systems major, and/or the Environmental Communication MA program.
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
How do movies, TV shows, podcasts, social media posts, journalistic articles, and other stories shape our understanding of the environment? In a world saturated with media, how can we critically engage with the narratives that influence our perceptions of climate change, environmental justice, and sustainability? This course invites students to explore the power of environmental storytelling through a diverse array of media, including documentary and fictional films, podcast episodes, journalistic writing, photo essays, and visual art. Designed for freshmen and sophomores - though open to all undergraduates - this course provides an accessible entry point into climate change conversations and solutions-oriented environmental communication. Each week, students will be introduced to a curated piece of environmental media during the first class session. Through guided homework assignments, students will reflect on the content, context, and impact of the media, developing skills in critical thinking, media literacy, and environmental analysis. In the second session of the week, students will either participate in small-group discussions or engage in hands-on digital content creation, responding to the media through short videos, audio reflections, or visual storytelling. The course has three primary goals: 1. Critical Media Literacy - Equip students with tools to thoughtfully analyze and critique environmental media in an age of information overload. 2. Empowered Storytelling - Inspire students to contribute their own voices to the global conversation on climate change and environmental justice. 3. Accessible Engagement - Provide a welcoming, interdisciplinary space for students from all backgrounds - regardless of prior experience with environmental topics - to explore environmental communication and advocacy. No prior coursework or background in environmental studies is required. This course may be of particular interest to students considering a career in environmental sustainability, the Earth Systems major, and/or the Environmental Communication MA program.
Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.