The field of American Studies explores the cultures and practices of individuals and communities in the United States, as well as their transnational exchanges and impacts. It is an interdisciplinary field that is based on making "connections." Environmental justice, as a social movement, also makes important connections. It integrates social and environmental concerns linking social oppression, exploitation and injustice, as inseparable from environmental degradation of the natural world. The key tenets of American Studies and environmental justice also dovetail with features of feminist pedagogy, particularly intersectional analyses, active learning, and the focus on applying knowledge to everyday life. In this essay, the author discusses her experience of teaching an undergraduate "Environmental Justice" class at a large public university. Although finding the class challenging due to time restrictions, unfamiliarity with the campus culture, and grading issues, she also found it rewarding in the sense of helping students develop as critical thinkers and good citizens in a global world.