環境社会学[国際環境学コース]

WEEK 1: Introduction to climate change (Basic notions, terminology, course plan, learning methods, readings and other sources’ overview.+ Watch documentary episode “Years of living dangerously—moving a mountain” (Season 1 Episode 9) (https://www.youtube.com/*****) WEEK 2- 7: Causes and experiences of climate change (Interactive lectures + classroom discussions based on pre-assigned readings + 2 guest lectures) Week 2: Multiple framings of climate change Week 3: Ideas of nature and how they link to climate change Week 4: Greenhouse gas emissions—drivers and debates Week 5: Evidence of climate change (Guest lecture) Week 6: Fossil fuels and energy—drivers and debates Week 7: Energy systems (Guest lecture) WEEK 8-12: Experiencing climate change and what can be done? (Interactive lectures + classroom discussions based on pre-assigned readings) Week 8: Climate and environmental justice Week 9: Impacts of climate change Week 10: Vulnerability, human security, and climate security Week 11: Adapting to climate change Week 12: Imagining futures: what can be done (and what is being done)? (lecture + group presentations) Week 13: Wrap-up lecture and group presentations

Class participation (20%) This course requires participation in class discussions led by readings and weekly questions. Please come to class prepared to engage in discussions to develop an understanding of the topics. Class participation will be immensely facilitated by completing assigned readings. Leading classroom discussion (10%) At the beginning of the course, students will sign up to present a set of readings one time. In the second half of the chosen class session, students are expected to discuss the readings in light of the weekly question (10-15 minutes) and pose additional questions of their own for discussion. It will be assumed that everyone has completed the readings so there is no need to summarize them. The exercise is intended to be helpful in forming opinions based on logical reasoning and presenting them clearly. Writing assignments (2 x 10% = 20% + 30%) For eight course sessions, a question is posed that might serve as the topic of an analytic assignment in a contemporary policy setting. The questions are stated in the manner that thoughtful but busy and incompletely informed people might pose them. All questions suggest the exercise of judgment. Students are required to prepare a short analytical piece of no more than 800 words addressing two of these topics, one submitted on or before May 2, the second by June 6. Any question can be chosen but the piece must be submitted before the class session to which it refers. The two writing assignments constitute 20% of the grade. The third writing assignment is a short paper (2000-3000 words) to be submitted by July 21. It should present analysis of an issue related to climate change. The last assignment will contribute 30% of the grade. It could cover the following points: -historical and contemporary trends of the issue in Japan or abroad. -root causes and solutions that may be adopted by governments, individuals, and (or) societies. -the student’s perspective related to climate change and reasons for why the approach is adopted. Group presentation (20%) Students will be divided into groups based on their paper topics. Similar themes may be clubbed together. Groups will prepare one joint presentation that provides a compelling argument or takeaway based on research of all group members. Each student will briefly present their work in the joint presentation. The entire presentation should not exceed more than 20 minutes. Class policies: 1)Attendance: Four or more absences will result in an automatic failure. 2)Tardiness: Two counts of tardiness will be considered equivalent to one absence. 3)Students must complete all assignments to receive a passing grade. 4)There is zero tolerance of plagiarism in this class. This class will follow the plagiarism policy stated by the College of Arts and Sciences: “Any student found to have engaged in improper conduct will have the entire semester’s grades for all courses nullified, and no make-up exams, etc. will be permitted. This applies to any student that assists others in engaging in cheating or similar behavior (for example, a student that assists in drafting an improper report for another student is subject to the same punishment as the cheating student).”

20% Class participation 10% Leading classroom discussion 20% Short writing assignments 30% Final Paper 20% Group presentation

No textbook required.

Information on reference materials will be provided in class.

1. No prior study is required, but a strong interest and a serious commitment to learning about contemporary challenges and issues from an interdisciplinary perspective is crucial. 2. Although this course is mainly targeting PEAK students, participation of all categories of students will be welcomed. 3- The first class will be conducted online.