Course Description

This multi-disciplinary course offers critical perspectives into the subject of climate change. Co-taught by experts in the fields of climate science, social science, and the humanities, it provides critical insights into the deep contexts of modern climate change, the complex relationship between climatic changes and humanity and, will introduce students to how different disciplinary perspectives can be utilised for understanding complex modern problems. Subjects include the history of climate science, understanding climate change as a complex problem, the role and efficacy of modern-day organisations in tackling climate change, and specific climate-induced challenges facing humanity, such as urban heat and extreme weathers. The multidisciplinary approach will demonstrate how each individual discipline offers powerful frameworks and tools to understand and engage with climate change in all its complexity.

Upon completing this course, you will be awarded a secure and verifiable digital badge to recognise your accomplishment. Instructions on how to request for the digital badge can be found in the final session of the course.

COURSE GOALS

Through the online course materials and practical exercises, this course aims to allow participants to gain an immersive introduction to climate change and some of its key issues.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Examine Climate Change Through Historical and Social Perspectives

   • Analyze historical climate variations and their effects on civilizations, economies, and cultures.
   • Evaluate how societies have perceived, adapted to, and influenced climate change over time.

2. Assess the Human and Policy Dimensions of Climate Change

   • Investigate the social, political, and economic drivers of climate change and their global implications.
   • Compare climate policies, international agreements, and grassroots movements addressing climate change.

3. Understand Human Behaviour and Communication Interventions

   • Examine the relationship between behavioural choices and ecological footprint.
   • Apply principles of strategic communication to influence environmentally significant behaviours.

COURSE DETAILS

Topic	Duration	Instructor(s)
Session 1: Climate Change and its Impacts: Can We Learn from	3.5 hours	Professor Fiona Williamson
Session 2: Climate Science: History and Controversy	3.5 hours	Professor Fiona Williamson
Session 3: Climate Change – A Wicked Problem	3 hours	Associate Professor Terry van Gevelt
*Session 4: Communicating on Climate Change	2.5 hours	Associate Professor Terry van Gevelt
*Session 5: Climate Change: Past and Present	3 hours	Professor Winston Chow
*Session 6: Effective Climate Change “Solutions”: Adaptation and Mitigation	3 hours	Professor Winston Chow

* These session will only be visible after participants have scored at least 70% for the quiz in the previous session

Instructors