SW 294 - Global Environmntl Change

Institution:

DePaul University

Subject:

Description:

Many ongoing changes in the natural environment are so extensive in scale that scientists consider them a threat to sustaining a reasonable quality of life for humans worldwide. Examples of issues of particular and urgent concern are: the rapid changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere that can alter the earth's prevailing climate patterns; the amount of pollutants in the oceans that can breach essential parts of the food chain; the consumption or contamination of natural resources, such as minerals for industrial use, petroleum, groundwater, and agriculturally important soils and; the spatial reduction of terrestrial biomes with corresponding extinctions of organisms. In this course, we will review and analyze the recent earth science research on these and other global change issues in order to assess their relative importance for the human community. We will also examine and evaluate how human activities can have direct and causal relationships to specific adverse global environmental changes. Additional topics that will be addressed include emerging theories of sustainable development, ecological ("Green") economics, and environmental laws. Through readings, discussions, lectures, and original inquiry, students will be introduced to the principal global environmental change issues. Students will select one issue for more detailed analysis and utilize the course learning experience to formulate a plan for personal, governmental, and/or global action to address an environmental problem. Pre-1999 Competencies: PW-2, PW-A. Faculty: Kevin Downing

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.depaul.edu

Phone Number:

(312) 362-8000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Quarter

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