Global Environmental Challenges (SPS 374)

2024 Fall
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Social & Political Sci.(SPS)
3
6
Ümit Şahin umitsahin@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
--
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture
Interactive,Communicative
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CONTENT

This course aims to provide an introduction to the global environmental challenges with their scientific, economic and political aspects from an interdisciplinary natural and social science perspective. This course equips students with skills to comprehend and analyses the historical background, as well as the future outlook of current environmental problems caused by the immense impact of human civilizations, particularly by economic growth and changing production-consumption patterns. Topics to be discussed include environmental pollution and ecological footprint, global issues such as ozone depletion, deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss, air pollution and other environmental health issues, urban environmental problems, food and water politics, plastic pollution and the oceans. Course include discussions of case studies for the solutions and movements for a sustainable future, such as eco-innovation, green economy, and environmentalist campaigns.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 4

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 2

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 4

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 1

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 1


1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems.

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose.

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively.

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose.

5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas.

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development.

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions.


1. Develop knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in humanities and social sciences. 2

2. Assess how global, national and regional developments affect society. 5

3. Know how to access and evaluate data from various sources of information. 3


1. To analyze national and global events from various social science perspectives.

2. To demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge on political science and international relations and to state views and positions with advanced oral and written skills.

3. To compete for increasing career opportunities in national and global institutions.

4. To (be able to) understand and follow the changes in political behaviours, opinions and structures.

5. To gain the ability to make logical inferences on social and political issues based on comparative and historical knowledge.


1. Understand and follow changes in patterns of political behavior, ideas and structures.

2. Develop the ability to make logical inferences about social and political issues on the basis of comparative and historical knowledge.

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 40
Midterm 30
Quiz 20
Participation 10

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

Skinner, B.J. and Murck, B.W. (2022) The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Martin, R.E. (2018) Earth’s evolving systems: The history of planet earth. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Readings

Rockström, J. (2009) A safe operating space for humanity, Nature, 461: 472-5
Barlow, M., Clarke, T. (2002) Who Owns Water? The Nation, 2 Sep
Patel, R. (2008) Introduction. Stuffed and starved. Oakland, CA: PM Press.