Prody, Jessica Mary2011-08-092011-08-092011-06https://hdl.handle.net/11299/112750University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. June 2011. Major: Communication Studies. Advisor: Daniel J. Philippon. 1 computer file (PDF); iv, 201 pages.Redefining U.S. citizenship for our current global sociopolitical context is necessary. Drawing on environmental theory and practice, I argue for a community-building project that encourages citizenship built on forethought and emphasizes participatory justice, an inclusive notion of security, and sustainable intergenerational justice. The theoretical claims of the project are supported by six case studies that use textual analysis to examine how social movement and governmental discourse has paired environmental concerns and citizenship. These case studies demonstrate and need for and challenges of constructing a citizenship around the above principles. Throughout the project I illustrate the need for global and local consideration of citizenly issues and highlight the tension between urging immediate action on environmental problems and the need for action to be undertaken in a way that addresses philosophical questions of justice, fairness, sustainability, and democratic participation.en-USCitizenshipEnvironmentalismJusticeRhetoricSecuritySustainabilityCommunication StudiesThesis or Dissertation