IGS 590: Capstone Seminar: Comparative Climate Action

This seminar analyzes core themes of the Community Climate Adaptation Program during the students’ third and final semester. Bridging the disciplines of geography, anthropology, and civil & environmental engineering, we draw together the insights and experiences learned by technical and social science students during the first two semesters of the program. Through a combination of readings, case studies, and an individual depth project, the course provides an opportunity for students to revisit theoretical frameworks for climate adaptation strategies in a way that is informed by their place-based applied research in diverse places internationally. We explore similarities and differences observed in different localities across scales in order to strengthen an empirically-grounded, comparative, and holistic analysis of community climate adaptation. In doing so, we investigate both positive resonances between theoretical frameworks and demonstrated outcomes in discrete places, while we also critically probe any gaps, tensions, and surprises that may emerge from the GQP fieldwork. Participation in the DIGS/GS speaker series is required for this course, as the topics and guests will provide additional content for consideration. Recommended background: Completion of 12 credits in 3 Core CCA courses and 8 credits of GQP.