EESC 1174 Climate Change and Society
Global climate change may be one of the biggest issues facing humanity in the twenty-first century. We investigate the scientific basis for global warming forecasts from what is well known to what is deeply uncertain based on theory, models, and the geologic record of earths climate history. We discuss the political, economic, and social dimensions surrounding the global warming debate, and explore the current and potential impacts of climate change on developed and developing societies. Connections to recent media will be emphasized to give students an up-to-date view on the state of our national conversation on climate change.
Course overview
- Department
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Natural Science
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (A) Note: Approved substitutions for the introductory Environmental Systems sequence (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Climate Change and Societal Adaptation: One Introductory Environmental Science Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Natural Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.04 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.23 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Jeremy Shakun | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 126 of 165 |
| Spring 2025 | Yi Ming | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 3.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 142 of 171 |
| Spring 2024 | Yi Ming | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 135 of 168 |
| Spring 2023 | Yi Ming | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1–3 hrs/week | 143 of 178 |
| Spring 2022 | Jeremy Shakun | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 107 of 180 |