- CLIMATE CHANGE STUDIES PROGRAM
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2013 course offerings that will apply toward a Climate Change Studies minor
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The Curriculum
Climate Change Studies is an interdisciplinary program open to all majors. The program educates students in three areas of the climate change issue: science, society, and solutions. Coursework in the minor provides a foundation that enables students to engage the scientific, societal and political dimensions of global climate change. Further, the focus on solutions with its orientation toward applied learning will help students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Participating students, building on their major field of study, will be prepared to enter a broad range of professions and graduate programs where they can meet the emerging challenges and opportunities arising from climate change.
The Climate Change Studies minor requires students to complete 21.0 total credits: a 3.0 credit interdisciplinary, team-taught introductory course and 6.0 credits in each of the science, society and solution areas listed below. To provide students with flexibility and appeal to a diversity of interests, each area has a variety of courses to choose from, several of which will fulfill General Education requirements. Students can choose any course in each of the three areas, totaling at least 6.0 credits. While some courses are cross-listed with the Climate Change Studies rubric, CCS, most must be found via their home departmental listing.
The Climate Change Studies minor is coordinated by a program director, program coordinator, and steering committee made up of faculty from each of the science, society and solutions areas. Students should review their course of study with the program coordinator, who will advise students on planning their course sequence, and will also sign their application for a minor.
The areas of study are:
Introductory Course:
Introduction to Climate Change: Science and Society, CCS 103X, 3 cr
This is an introductory and foundational course on the scientific and social dimensions of global climate change. The goal of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the fundamental scientific, social, political and technological issues arising from rapid climatic change. As a result, it provides students with a breadth of knowledge and builds connectedness across these varied dimensions of the complex global issue. This course counts for General Education credit in the global “X” perspective. It is open to all students and required for the Climate Change Studies minor.
Climate Change Science (natural and physical sciences)
The climate change science area introduces students to the basic processes by which the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere interact to produce and respond to climatic change.
Students choose any six credits from the following courses: (see course descriptions here):
- Climate Change - Past & Future: GEO 108N, 3 cr
- Weather and Climate: ERTH 303N, 3 cr
- Global Cycles and the Climate Change: NRSM 408 (UG), 3 cr
- Ecosystem Climatology: NRSM 491-02 (UG), 3 cr
- Global Change: GEO 482 (UG), 3 cr
Climate Change and Society (social sciences and humanities)
The climate change and society area provides students with the opportunity to evaluate the social, political, economic, and ethical dimensions of climate change on the local, national, and international levels.
Students choose any six credits from the following courses: (see course descriptions here):
- Climate Change Ethics & Policy: NRSM 449E (UG), 3 cr
- Communication, Consumption, & Climate: COMM 379, 3 cr
- Climate & Society, NRSM 426, 3 cr
- International Environmental Economics & Climate Change: ECNS 445 (UG), 3 cr (Prereq., ECON 111)
- Sustainable Climate Policies: China & the US: PSCI 324, 3 cr
- Society, Economy and Environment of the Mekong Delta: Wintersession in Vietnam: NRSM 391, 3 cr
Climate Change Solutions (practical application)
The climate change solutions area creates opportunities for students to study and engage in solutions to global climate change. Course options range from studies of clean energy technology and sustainable business to internships and other applied coursework that engages students in solutions to climate change.
Students choose six credits from the following courses, with at least one course taken in category A, which requires practical application (see course descriptions here):
Category A
- Climate Change Internship: CCS 398, 2-4 cr
- Climate Change Practicum, CCS 391, 2-4 cr
- Energy Internship: NRG 298, 2 cr
- Environmental Citizenship: ENST 476, 3 cr
Category B
- Intro to Energy Systems II: NRG 102, 3 cr
- Issues in Sustainability: BGEN 160S, 3 cr
- Sustainable Cities: GPHY 421, 3 cr
- Energy Practicum: NRG 192, 2 cr
- Climate Change Field Studies: CCS 352, 3 cr
- Climate Change Effects and Adaptation in the Mekong Delta:
Wintersession in Vietnam: NRSM 395, 3 cr (part of a 6 credit course) - Cycle the Rockies: Energy and Climate Change in Montnaa: NRSM 321, 3 cr and ENST 311, 3cr.