Study climate change across disciplines with these prerequisite-free courses this spring
Graphic by Sage Blackwell.
Interested in studying climate change, but don’t know where to start? From the social impact to the historical record of climate change, these environment-focused classes tackle climate issues across a range of academic disciplines.
TCA 210 – Introduction to the Human Dimensions of Climate Change
There are so many sides to climate change, it can be tough to figure out what we can actually do about it. As one of three required courses for UVic’s new Transformative Climate Action Certificate, TCA 210 explores the variety of ways that humans approach the climate crisis. With a focus on collaboration and action, this class develops the skills and tools we need to address climate change effectively. TCA 210 will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
IED 379 – Indigenous Environmental Activism and Education
This online class looks at the path to environmental action and sustainability from an Indigenous lens. Open to anyone interested in learning from Indigenous teachings and worldviews, IED 379 discusses Indigenous relationships with the land and real-life examples of Indigenous environmental action. This course is also part of the Teaching and Learning Indigenous Perspectives electives from the Department of Indigenous Education, which are available to all students. IED 379 will run online on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. – 7:20 p.m.
HSTR 101E – Environmental History of the World
Interested in climate change of the past? HSTR 101E is the class for you. According to the course description, this history class follows the natural world from “the post-1492 period” to the present day. In this course, students follow historical interactions between humans and the environment, including agricultural development, human-animal relationships, industrialization, and climate change. HSTR 101E will be offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
EOS 130/GEOG 130 – Climate Change
If the science side of climate change is more your vibe, consider checking out how the Earth’s physical principles respond to human activity in EOS 130 or GEOG 130. This class can be taken with the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences or the Department of Geography — but don’t worry, the content is the same. The lectures and labs explore the driving forces of climate change, energy balance, and the Earth’s climate over time, as well as climate change impacts and projections for the future. EOS 130/GEOG 130 lectures will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
GEOG 101A – Environment, Society and Sustainability
Climate change and sustainability go hand-in-hand. In GEOG 101A’s lectures and labs, students will learn how the human impact on Earth’s natural processes will affect the future of sustainability. This course looks at the Earth from a variety of different perspectives, including earth and energy cycles, natural resources and their industries, ecosystems and biodiversity, and global development. According to the course description, the class will also discuss the “potential for a sustainable society.” Lectures for GEOG 101A will take place on Mondays and Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Bonus: ANTH 302 (Globalization, Health and the Environment) and ES 407 (Mindfulness, Sustainability and Social Change)
If you already have second-year standing, you might enjoy ANTH 302. Offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (4:30 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.), this course takes a look at the relationship between global processes, the environment, and health. In ANTH 302, dive into diseases, inequalities, climate change, and the healthcare industries.
For those in their third year and up, check out ES 407 on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. This course will explore how to integrate mindfulness into environmental and social change. Who knew meditation had ecological benefits?
