COML 2021

Humans and Climate Change

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

This course explores the human dimension of climate change, arguably the most significant crisis ever to confront humanity. Of course, changes in the climate are natural, but it is almost universally knowledged that humans have contributed to an unprecedented speeding up of the processes with potentially cataclysmic effects. Drawing on disciplines including cultural studies, history, economics, climate science, philosophy, literary criticism, anthropology, political/labor theory, and sociology the first half of the course asks the question "What did humans do to cause climate change?" and the second half of the course asks "what can humans do to mitigate and adapt to climate change?" A course packet of readings will include works on climate and industrial history, policy-making, biodiversity, ethics, technology, agriculture, design and environmental justice. Students will also be required to watch several films and read several literary texts. In addition to short essays and prelims, students will work together in small groups to produce an interdisciplinary project responding to climate change.

When Offered Fall.

Distribution Category (CA-AS)

Comments A University Course - this class highlights cross-disciplinary dialogue and debate.

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