Social ecology is defined differently by different groups.  Many see it as a branch of sociology, though they hardly confine it completely to that area.

The Council for Planning Librarians defined social ecology as a "subfield of sociology that incorporates the influence of not only sociology but economics, biology, political science, and urban studies."

The University of California, Irvine, has a Program in Social Ecology.  They look at community psychology, urban and regional planning, environmental health, human ecology, criminal justice, and educational policy.  Professor Binder defined social ecology as "the interaction of man with his environment in all of its ramifications."

Murray Bookchin says that social ecology integrates "the human and natural ecosystems through understanding the interrelationships of culture and nature."

Bookchin says that social ecology shares ideas with holism.  Social ecology argues that people are interdependent, and should live in harmony with nature.  The ideas also draw from many other sources, from feminism to communitarianism.

Social ecology "not only provides a critique of the split between humanity and nature; it also poses the need to heal them," says Professor Bookchin.  Bookchin also created the Institute for Social Ecology, which furthers the study of social ecology through a variety of means.

Institute for Social Ecology

Overview of Social Ecology

School of Social Ecology