PHIL 2080
Introduction to Environmental Ethics
A general survey of current issues in environmental ethics, focusing on problems such as the obligation to future generations, protection of endangered species, animal rights, problems of energy and pollution, wilderness, global justice, and business obligations. Students will also learn some ethical and political theory.
Instructors
Brian Talbot, Claude Evans, James Gulledge, Janella Baxter, Jason Gardner
Reviews
Funny guy and somewhat engaging class- some lecture days were boring and he can be kind of a tough grader, but you just put in a bit of honest effort for the essays with some office hour visits and and an A is very achievable. Have an open mind to the class, participate a little bit and its alright. Nice guy too, wrote a letter of rec for me after
6/22/2026
Jason does a great job inspiring thought-provoking conversations. Grading criteria was always very clear, so just follow the rubrics and pay attention in class when he goes over essay expectations. He's also super funny.
5/5/2026
I really like how he taugh the lesson. His reponses to students' questions can show the huge amount of knowledge he has.
4/11/2026
Dr Gardner was a decent professor. He always was able to answer questions people asked, which made the class more engaging. The structure of his class is strange: no electronics and no notes whatsoever. Just an hour and a half of straight philosophy. Maybe if you enjoy philosophy, you'd find his teaching style fun, but wasn't for me personally.
12/15/2025
2 or less hrs/week
I really liked this professor, he was funny. Class mainly consisted of him regurgitating the readings and class discussion. He grades very leniently, but the papers have several components. My personal favorite part of the class was the debate at the end, you work with a group and have a week for debate prep so it’s pretty chill
5/22/2024
Classes were almost all lecture in an un-engaging, awkward atmosphere. Slow paced. Many people called this their "daydream class." Many readings were interesting but very dense. A lot of your grade is based on two papers.
4/27/2024
This professor is super quirky and goofy. Although the course is reading-heavy, you can honestly get away with not reading articles for lectures, although not so much for essays. He also disagrees with most of the readings, so it makes for a more interesting class. His grading isn't too difficult and the end-of-course debate is pretty enjoyable.
12/20/2023
I loved everything about this class! I suggest you take the class if you like the topic because if you don't then the readings can seem boring. The professor was so nice and honestly cared about what she was teaching and was definitely accessible outside of class and easy to talk to. She was very clear about instructions and expectations. 10/10!
12/10/2021
Dr. Baxter is a great professor and who clearly has a passion for philosophy and tries to spread and develop that in her own students. She had a clear grading rubric for each essay and assignment and was always available during office hours to look over rough drafts and any questions. As with anything, put in the work and you'll do well.
2/10/2021
I don't really get her. She assigns impossibly large readings. 85% of the final grade is determined by 3 papers, which she grades extremely harshly. Sure some teachers grade harshly, but Prof. Baxter doesn't explain why you get the grade you get. Often if you don't write in support of an opinion held be her, the grade will reflect it. I'd avoid.
1/12/2021
1. Do not disagree or expect a bad grade on papers 2. Very boring lectures!!!!!! 3. Repetitive 4. Grading criteria was very vague 5. Not a lot of points make up your grade
5/19/2020
Grading, due dates, expectations were incredibly unclear. Class was very boring. She often did not even understand our readings or what was on her own slides. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!
5/3/2020
One of the best professor's I've ever had. Extremely intelligent individual but knows how to communicate with us lowly students. Lectures are very interesting and engaging. I don't think I would've enjoyed my class if I didn't have him as my professor. Very funny, kind-hearted, helpful, and considerate of everyone's thoughts. A real gem!
4/19/2018
I had Brian for an intro level philosophy class, Environmental Ethics. Brian is extremely patient, respectful, and receptive of students' questions in and out of class, absolutely hilarious in a way that doesn't interrupt lectures but keeps them fun and engaging. I didn't sit through a single class without laughing several times. Learned a LOT.
4/16/2015
Great professor. Even though I slowly learned over the course of the semester that philosophy isn't a subject I particularly enjoy, the class discussions were always very interesting. The workload for the course was quite manageable (something that any science major will appreciate).
12/21/2011
Very enthusiastic about class. Tells great stories and, even if subject isn't interesting, he finds a way to entertain you.
11/18/2011
great guy and great lecturer. subject is pretty boring, but the workload is light. my only complaint was that every piece of work we did was read/graded by the TAs and none of it was read by j. claude himself.
6/16/2009
Really interested in his subjects, helpful, friendly, but you must like the topic already to be interested in his lectures.
1/8/2005
actually going to class was pointless... and the ta's graded everything based on their own opinions. overall, skip this one and take bioeth if you're looking for a good phil class.
1/5/2005