Course Syllabus
Understanding Climate Change |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Environmental Science, Geoscience, Politics |
| Faculty Members: |
Sebastian Zastruzny (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Time & Place: |
TBA |
Course Description
Climate change is one of the most important and discussed topics of our times. Understanding the science behind it, the expected changes and the potential implications is crucial when contributing to the public debate.
This course we will begin with a holistic approach at understanding the climate system, before highlighting different parts of the climate system, such as the energy balance, the hydrological cycle and the carbon balance, and a brief introduction to the toolbox, explaining how we measure weather and how we simulate the climate.
We will continue to learn how the reports of the international panel for climate change (IPCC) are written, what the reports are convening and how the global community receives them. We take a dive into different points of view of climate scientists, activists, critics and deniers, to develop the skill to proficiently act in the debate.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the core concepts of Earth’s processes, such as the energy balance, the hydrological cycle and the carbon balance.
- Discuss the quality of climate proxies. historic data series, and the uncertainty of model simulations.
- Distinguish the role of different feedback mechanisms to climate change.
- Analyze the language, processes and structure of the IPCC reports.
- Evaluate different viewpoints and be able to argue with a solid scientific basis.
- Create arguments in both oral, and written form, to explain the concept of climate change.
- Experience real work implementations of climate adaption and mitigation.
Faculty
Sebastian Zastruzny
PhD (Geography-Geosciences, University of Copenhagen). Educated in permafrost dynamics at the Centre for Permafrost, IGN. Research on permafrost cores, water samples, climate data series, process based modelling, and effects of future climate change. Conducted fieldwork and taught field courses in Greenland and Denmark multiple times.
Readings
Main textbooks:
William F. Ruddiman: Earth’s Climate Past and Future, 3rd edition, 2013 (EC)Download William F. Ruddiman: Earth’s Climate Past and Future, 3rd edition, 2013 (EC)
Grotzinger, J., & Jordan, T. H. (2014) Understanding Earth. (UE)Download Grotzinger, J., & Jordan, T. H. (2014) Understanding Earth. (UE)
Other required texts:
IPCC, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report.Download IPCC, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report.
Thunberg, G. (2023). The climate book: The facts and the solutions. Penguin.
Lomborg, B. (2020). False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions. Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.
Hulme, M. (2017). Climate Change, Concept of. In International Encyclopedia of Geography: People, the Earth, Environment and Technology (eds D. Richardson, N. Castree, M.F. Goodchild, A. Kobayashi, W. Liu and R.A. Marston). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118786352.wbieg0343
Field Studies
Preliminary plans for field study days (not confirmed):
City walk around Copenhagen to experience climate adaption projects in the urban environment.
Visit of the UN City in Copenhagen to meet people working at the UN environment protection program (UNEP).
Approach to Teaching
The course utilizes a mixture of different teaching concepts, beginning with interactive lectures where core concepts are explained and consecutively applied in exercises and assignments. Once a basic understanding of a subject is achieved, the didactic environment is expanded to more participatory approaches, giving the students the agency to explore various topics.
In later seminars group work, presentations and simulations are employed to allow for interaction with peers, and anchor the acquired knowledge on a solid foundation.
DIS Accommodations Statement
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupp@dis.dk.
Expectations of the Students
Active participation in the class activities, contributing to exercises and discussions, as well as engagement in only forums and assignments.
Evaluation
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work. The overall grade will come from the following:
Grading:
20%: Two reports from Field Study days
Short reports (2000-4000 words) written in individually, reporting on the visited stops of the study days including a section covering the theories linked to the visits. The reports will graded based on scientific correctness, completeness of requirements and presentation style.
40%: Essay
Essay (6000-80000 words) written in groups of three, exploring the argumentations of different groups (scientists/activists/critics/deniers) that are speaking about climate change. All essays will have to include a factual discussion with scientific knowledge from the course and the views of the groups. Grading will be based on the stringency of argumentation, the link to the course material and the presentation.
10%: Simulation of a panel debate
In class we will simulate a panel debate between different opinion groups that is based on the essays. Groups will elect a spokesperson that talks on behalf of the group and explain their position.
The activity will be graded based on active participation, and the inclusion of arguments from the reports.
30%: Participation
We expect and encourage active participation in class, on the field trips, and in online activities. Active participation consists of...
- being a part of the discussions by asking/answering
- contributing to group work
- working on the assignments/exercises
- presenting results in class
Academic Regulations (Semester)
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Academic Regulations (Summer)
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org