CCS 103X Fall 2017
Introduction to Climate Change: Science and Society
CCS 103X
Fall 2017
INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Nicky Phear, DHC 116, , 243-6932
GTA: Peter McDonough,
CLASS MEETINGS:
Discussion: Monday & Wednesday 14:10-15:00, Davidson Honors College, Room 118
Lecture: Monday & Wednesday 15:30-16:50, Chemistry 123
OFFICE HOURS:
Dr. Nicky Phear: Tuesday 14:30-16:00 & Wednesday 13:00-14:30, DHC 116
WEBSITE: https://sites.google.com/site/umclimatechangestudies/home
TEXTBOOK: Robert Henson, The Thinking Person’s Guide to Climate Change (2014)
Course Description and Objectives:
This is an introductory course on the scientific and social dimensions of global climate change. The goal is to provide students with a basic understanding of the scientific, political and technological issues arising from global climate change, and to make connections across these varied dimensions when considering solution.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, YSEALI Fellows will be able to:
(1) demonstrate an understanding of the global climate system, including significant interactions and feedbacks that range over time and space;
(2) assess their individual carbon footprint, compare their impact to others across the globe, and consider per capita and per country rights to the atmospheric global commons;
(3) compare various technological and political solutions in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency in stabilizing the climate;
(4) participate in a role-playing exercise of the UN climate negotiations to experience the challenging practice of making global climate agreements; and,
(5) discuss the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities for mitigating climate change in light of differing contributions and capacities.
Class Format:
Each week different topics related to the global climate change issue will be explored through both the lecture and discussion sessions. Readings from the assigned textbook are suggested, as indicated in the schedule. YSEALI fellows will join 70 University of Montana students for the lecture portion of this course. Discussions sessions will include only YSEALI fellows.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Assigned Reading / Discussion Topic
DHC 117
14:10-15:00 / Lecture Topic
CHEM 123
15:30-16:50 / Lecture Speaker /
W 9/06 / Henson Textbook:
Climate Change:
A primer
pgs. 3-26
The Greenhouse Effect
pgs. 27-40 / Climate change overview
Local climate change
Rising emissions activity / Introduction / Dr. Nicky Phear,
Climate Change Studies Program
M 9/11 / Henson Textbook:
Who’s Responsible?
pgs. 41-56
The Symptoms?
pgs. 229-315 / Footprints: Ecological
and Carbon
Individual and country contributions
Quality of life vs standard of living
/ Principles of the
Global Climate I / Dr. Ashley Ballantyne,
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences
W 9/13 / The Uninhabitable Earth, by David Wallace-Wells. New York Magazine, 2017
The Planet is Warming. And It’s Okay to be Afraid, Margaret Klein Salamon, Common Dreams, 2017 / What is dangerous climate change?
Feedback loops
How to avoid?
Preparation for World Climate Simulation / Principles of the
Global Climate II / Dr. Ashley Ballantyne,
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences
M 9/18 / Groups will be assigned a briefing sheet to read for representing one of the negotiating blocks / World Climate Simulation
14:00-17:00
DHC 117
/ Nicky Phear
and Peter McDonough
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