Capstone Courses
ANTH 465J Indigenous Peoples and Global Climate Change - Karen Porter
Using anthropological perspectives, this course explores how indigenous peoples perceive, explain, resist, contribute, and respond to global climate change in the modern world. Case studies will be drawn from a variety of cross-cultural contexts such as the Niger Delta, the Arctic, and Amazon rain forest (Prior completion of introductory anthropology strongly recommended). Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m.
ECO 465J Economic Considerations in a Climate Changing World - Dennis Wichelns
Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 to 3:50 p.m.
GEO 465J Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions - Ken Bevis
This course will examine global climate change since the last major glaciation (approximately the last 15,000 years). We will explore probable causes of both natural and anthropogenic climate change, study its potential consequences, and offer solutions for that portion of recent climate change which can clearly be attributed to humans. Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
HIS 465J History of Climate Science - Jeff Brautigam
This is a Capstone Course; it is linked with the various Capstone speakers and events happening throughout the year. Members of the class will study the history of climate science as a gateway to intelligent, engaged discussion of the current debates of global warming and global climate change. Our goal is to figure out how an engaged citizen might gain access to and be able to evaluate responsible, accurate information pertaining to this highly politicized subject. Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00 to 2:50 p.m.
PHI 465J Global Climate Change and Contemporary Political Thought - John Ahrens
This course is designed to help students enter the global warming debate informed by the science and the political theories that shape this discussion. The focus in this course will not be on extensive reading and writing assignments. Rather, students will participate in the ongoing discussion that is taking place on campus in symposia, lectures, roundtable discussions, and hands-on projects. Reading assignments will be concise and will be chosen to help students bring a philosophical perspective to the other discussions and activities in which they are engaged. Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
PLS 465J The Politics of Climate Change - Ron Smith
What are the costs of climate change? Who stands to win, who will lose, and how do we decide between them? Special emphasis in this course is placed on understanding the nature of collective action problems and the policies and institutions designed to address them. Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.
THR 465J Documentary and Disaster: What is the Story on Climate Change? - Jim Stark
Students in this course will respond to films that address moral, philosophical and scientific issues related to global climate change, in documentary and narrative genres. Each student will also produce a short essay suitable for inclusion in an anthology published by the College. Course meets Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 to 11:50 a.m.