This class is structured in 4 complementary modules. First we study how the international scientific consensus on climate change (CC) is developed. We look closely at the IPCC role, organization, workings, and findings; and also consider other authoritative sources and scientific bodies that complement the IPCC’s findings. Then we study what natural sciences (climatology, cryosphere studies, limnology, scientific ecology and Earth sciences, etc.) say about the mechanisms and scale of climate change. Then we consider the multiple, inter-acting implications of climate change for various forms of security: national, human, environmental, and ecological. And finally we move more into the applied social sciences: we study the obstacles to CC communication and action, and propose various strategies to communicate, mobilize and act, including a new energy policy.

Required work:

1. Sustained level of source reading and weekly preparations and commentary (with one lighter week every 4-5 weeks)

2. One 4-5 page essay on a topic of your choice (3 drafts with abundant feedback, only the last one is graded)

3. One professional presentation (with pre-presentation “dos and donts” analysis and post-presentation individual feedback on performance)

4. Two exams on vocabulary and concepts (which we carefully prepare in class ahead of time)

5. Two “open sessions” where students choose topics, activities, format and their role (with professor as silent partner and collective debrief afterward)

Recommended language proficiency: minimum Advanced Mid, preferably Advanced High, level on the ACTF proficiency scale