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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

SDG 13 – Climate Action

  • Week 5: Reading Guide

    Each week’s readings will be accompanied by a set of guiding questions. As you read the materials, take notes about key messages as well as questions you have. Class discussions will center around these.

    Read more: Week 5: Reading Guide

  • Assignment 5: Personal Reflection

    Please write 250-500 words (total) addressing the questions below.

    1. Please describe one idea you encountered during this course that you found powerful.
    2. Please critically reflect on the idea in your own terms. What makes it powerful or meaningful to you? How is it related to things you had thought before taking the course? How does it connect (or disconnect) with ideas that you take to be common or popular?
    3. Is there any way in which the course has affected your actions and choices (note that “not at all” is an option!)? Do you think any of the arguments should prompt you to change your actions, even you aren’t inclined to change? Are there ways they may change your actions in the future? (Why or why not?)
    Read more: Assignment 5: Personal Reflection

  • Homework 1: Visualization Blog

    Write a post on the class blog about a data presentation you saw recently (250ish words). Include a link and a picture/screenshot of the presentation. Make sure to address:

    • what data is being shown
    • who you think the audience is
    • what you think the goals of the data presentation are
    • whether you think it is effective or not and why
    Read more: Homework 1: Visualization Blog

  • Reaction Papers

    Students are responsible for writing a 1–2 page reaction paper based on the readings (or another assigned topic) for each week's class for a total of eight reaction papers. Papers are due in the class for which the reading is assigned. Reaction papers are your personal response to the week's readings. These papers should offer an overview of the main points of the book or articles under consideration. It should also include your own assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of these readings and, if possible, should link the reading at hand to other readings from the course or topics discussed in class.

    Read more: Reaction Papers

  • Final Research Paper

    Students are also responsible for a 20 page research paper exploring an environmental issue in which they are interested and which will be due in the final class. 

    Read more: Final Research Paper

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