Climate Change Studies
Mission
Climate change promises to be one the defining environmental and social problems of our lifetime, and the topic of climate change will grow ever more relevant as we move into the future. The interdisciplinary minor in Climate Change Studies is committed to educating tomorrow’s leaders in the science, impacts, and solutions to climate change. This interdisciplinary program of study seeks to engage students with an understanding of climate change from diverse perspectives – scientific, political, psychological, economic, and ethical dimensions of the problem and its solutions - and prepare them for a myriad of professions that directly or indirectly relate to understanding, combating, and adapting to climate change.
Minor Description
The interdisciplinary minor in Climate Change Studies engages students in understanding climate change from diverse perspectives, helping them examine scientific, political, psychological, economic, and ethical dimensions of the problem and its solutions. It prepares them for a myriad of professions that directly or indirectly relate to understanding, combating, and adapting to climate change.
Curricular Requirements
A student with a major in the Department of Environmental Studies or another department may minor in Climate Change Studies with the approval of the Environmental Studies Department Chair. To complete this minor, students are expected to successfully complete the following course of study, totaling 18 credits:
| Program Required Courses | CREDITS |
| ENV 208 - Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions | 3 |
| PHY 208 - Energy and Climate Change | 3 |
| SOC 227 - Climate Change and Society | 3 |
| One Course from each of the following 3 areas: Policy, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences & Humanities | |
| Policy: | |
| ENV 250 - Environmental Policy in Comparative Perspective | 3 |
| MAR 240 - Climate Change and the Sea: Impacts on Oceans and Coasts | 3 |
| MAR 316 - Science and Society | 3 |
|
PSC 306 - Environmental Politics |
3 |
|
PSC 201 - Introduction to International Relations |
3 |
| Natural Sciences: | |
| ENV 318/318L - Advanced Field Methods in Avian Ecology and Conservation | 4 |
| ENV 328 - Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health | 3 |
| ENV 398 - Topics in Environmental Studies: Climate Change and Conservation | 3 |
| BIO 413 - Global Change Ecology | 3 |
| MAR 268/268L - Oceanography II: Physical and Chemical Oceanography | 4 |
| MAR 270/270L - Oceanography | 4 |
| MAR 460/560 - Global Change (Physical Science Basis) | 3 |
| MAR 464 - Polar Biology | 3 |
| Social Sciences and Humanities: | |
| BUEC 390 - Environmental Economics | 3 |
| BUEC 395 - Ecological Economics | 3 |
| ENV 321 - Environmental Communication: Expert Practices for Environmental Management | 3 |
| ENV 328 - Environmental Pollution: Ecosystems, Wildlife, and Human Health | 3 |
| ENV 340 - Environmental Movements and Social Change | 3 |
| ENV 344 - Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| ENV 357 - Sustaining Water: Social and Global Perspectives | 3 |
| PHI 202 - Ethics of Science and Technology | 3 |
| PHI 330 - Environmental Philosophy | 3 |
| PSC 320 - Global Politics and Culture | 3 |
|
SOC 210 - Displaced Cultures and Society |
3 |
| Internship Opportunities (Optional): Internships may substitute for ONE of the above courses, subject to advisor and internship coordinator approval. Internship must deal explicitly with some aspect of climate change science, mitigation, or adaptation. | |
| Internship | 3+ |
* Course Designators vary by major and include but are not limited to ENV 295/495, PSY 300/400, PSC 411, SOC 300/400, SPT 395.
Learning Outcomes
After taking this course of study, students will be able to:
- Evaluate the issues and conflicts surrounding climate change from multiple perspectives, including scientific, geographic, political, economic, sociological, psychological, ethical, and cultural perspectives;
- Explain and quantify the impacts of climate change on human well-being and the natural world;
- Identify options for preventing further climate change (mitigation) and reducing impacts of change on human and natural systems (adaptation);
- Analyze and critique policy issues related to global warming;
- Apply a practical understanding of climate change impacts, mitigation, and adaptation to their professional work
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at SWAGÊÓƵ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five years. Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions also.
Admissions
The minor in Climate Change Studies is open to all students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Permission of the students' major advisor and the Climate Change Studies coordinator is required to enroll.
Financial Information
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.