UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In addition to being a significant scientific, political, economic and social issue, climate change raises numerous moral and ethical concerns as well.
“Ethics of Climate Change” (Global Health/Religious Studies/Philosophy/Meteorology 133), a new interdomain course being offered at University Park this spring, seeks to introduce students to the science, policy and ethics of climate change so they can develop an understanding of its implications on the biosphere and human civilization.
During the course, students will interact with various experts throughout the University to learn how climate change and its implications are being studied and addressed in a multidisciplinary fashion. For example, faculty from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences will discuss research being conducted on paleoclimate modeling, carbon sinks, ocean acidification and other areas. Penn State humanists, economists, historians and artists, among others, also will share their expertise and perspectives.
Students also will tour the East Campus Power Plant and other Penn State facilities, and interview researchers developing new energy and sequestration technologies. In addition, students will prepare for mock negotiations by studying the energy profile and history of assigned countries.
Registration for “Ethics of Climate Change” is now open via LionPATH at launch.lionpath.psu.edu. To learn more about the course, email Jonathan Brockopp, Penn State associate professor of history and religious studies, at jeb38@psu.edu.