SDG Detail

Foundational Analyses of Problems in Energy and the Environment

Undergraduate course

Project description

Investigates key texts and papers on the foundational thought of current issues in energy and environmental science. Builds an understanding of key debates (scientific, ethical, and political). Aims to inform solutions to key problems related to procurement of energy and environmental degradation. Topics address alternative energy technologies and fossil fuel utilization and emissions, especially carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide sequestration, and geoengineering. Foundational readings from Homer and Greek playwrights, Aristotle, Genesis, Bacon, Locke, Rousseau, Coleridge, Carnot, Clausius, Marx, Heidegger, Carson, Gore, Singer, and Brundtland. Assignments include weekly analyses of readings, videos and related engineering calculations in addition to a final project.