ESP 165: Climate Policy Course description: How aggressively and in what way should society take action to reduce damages from climate change? In this course we will examine the balance between expected impacts and their costs one hand and policy options and their costs on the other. We will consider mitigation options to reduce future climate change, as well as adaptation alternatives to prepare for the changes that do occur. Using both economic and ethical perspectives, we will examine the models, data and assumptions behind competing leading arguments for how society should respond. We will evaluate policies implemented to date at the international, national and state levels. The gap between ideal and actual responses will be discussed using insights from game theory, theories on the use of science in policy and analysis of public attitudes. This class is designed to develop your writing and critical thinking skills in evaluating climate policy, so that you can express well-reasoned, well-sourced and clearly articulated viewpoints. Writing is a central component of the course (comprising 85% of course credit) and our in-class activities are focused on small and whole group discussion. Required resources: Reports,
journal
articles and other readings will be made available
online linked to the course website. Writing: This is a writing-intensive
course--as of 2023 the course provides General
Education Writing Experience credit. Assignments and grading: Your final grade will be based on:Active and informed participation in class 15% Writing assignments: Warm-up and Policy Memos 50% Explainer Sets 35% Active and informed participation in class includes being present, prepared and engaged. Engagement in class takes the form of asking questions, answering questions and offering commentary in discussion. Your participation grade will be assessed each day based on presence, preparedness and engagement in small and large group discussions.
Warm-up and Policy Memo writing assignments
Assignment logistics:
As a University of California, Davis student, you have agreed to abide by the University's Code of Academic Conduct. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the code. All academic work must meet these standards. Lack of knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Questions related to course assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to the instructor. UC Davis Academic Senate policy requires instructors to report any suspected plagiarism to Student Judicial Affairs (SJA). Please see the class "Writing Packet" for more guidance on avoiding plagiarism. Use of course materials: Short version: Please don't post materials from this course to the web. Long version: My lectures and course materials, including PowerPoint presentations, tests, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by U.S. copyright law and by University policy. I am the exclusive owner of the copyright in those materials I create. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own use. You may also share those materials with another student who is enrolled in or auditing this course in this quarter. You may not reproduce, distribute or display (post/upload) lecture notes or recordings or course materials in any other way — whether or not a fee is charged — without my express prior written consent. You also may not provide the materials for someone else to do so. If you do so, you may be subject to student conduct proceedings under the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct. Special accommodation: Please let me know if you have a learning disability, chronic condition, sensory or physical disability or if English is not your first language and you need special assistance in lecture, reading or writing assignments contact. Students needing accommodations because of disability should register with UCD’s Student Disability Center (SDC) and complete the appropriate SDC forms issued before accommodations can be provided. The SDC is located at 54 Cowell Building. They may be reached by phone at (530) 752-3184. Mental health:
Covid-19
considerations:
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