The goal of this course is to understand current trends in research and thinking on the topic of environmental justice. The course will cover the origins of the environmental justice movement, the meanings ascribed to the term “environmental justice”, and the impacts the environmental justice movement has had in society. We will examine recent research and policy debates in this area exploring the reasons why environmental injustices occur, what the health and other quality of life concerns are, and how affected groups, the media, academia, and policy makers have responded. A comparison between environmental justice movements in the U.S. and internationally will also be made. At the end of the course, students should not only have a good understanding of this topic but also be prepared to analyze, critique, and contribute to the academic and political debates about environmental justice.