PSC 202/203 Sustainability: Linking Science and Society

Fall/Spring

This course focuses on the issues of climate change and sustainability and how science applies to them. We use basic science principles to investigate the earth’s atmosphere, water supply and water cycle, and energy production which are all directly connected to our changing climate. Acknowledging that a finite set of resources exists for society, we also explore concepts of sustainability and the societal impacts of climate change from multiple perspectives including business, healthcare, and policies. Place-based learning in Costa Rica serves as a natural laboratory for investigation of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerabilities linked to climate change. Sustainability is observed first-hand in the context of initiatives and actions by the Costa Rican government and civil society. 2 class periods and field study in Costa Rica (PSC203). Corequisite: PSC 203

3 credit hours