Special Topics in Energy and Sustainability (495-0-22)
Instructors
Sailesh Chutani
Meeting Info
Technological Institute MG28: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
This course will provide an ethically and scientifically grounded perspective on the climate crisis and its connection with our dominant political-economic system. Students will—through rigorous reading, seminar-style class discussions, and critical analysis—develop a systemic and pragmatic view of some of the challenges and opportunities that arise from dealing with this existential crisis. Students will also aim to synthesize their learnings into personal ethical frameworks that are directly applicable to a variety of climate issues/choices that might be faced in their engineering careers.
Registration Requirements
Open to graduate student registration only
Learning Objectives
The subject matter of this course can be divided into three categories: ethics, historical/technical perspectives, and political economy. These three categories often intersect:
Ethics --
1/ Examine the proposition that climate crisis is in fact an ethical crisis. Understand the ethical dimensions of the climate crisis as it relates to fairness, responsibility, and justice.
2/ Discuss whether ethics based on our scientific understanding of the world and our biology can lead us to a more sustainable lifestyle, and whether we need to revisit our notion of a good life so that it is ethical as well as sustainable.
3/ Explore new narratives that could help us navigate these transformations.
4/ Develop ethical frameworks to inform personal and professional choices and engagement. Apply these frameworks to some actual choices being made today.
Historical and Technical Perspectives --
1/ Develop an understanding of the multidimensional nature of the climate crisis, and what makes it uniquely challenging.
2/ Understand the beliefs and values that have shaped the economic and political systems for the last several hundred years.
3/ Examine the ways in which the industrial capitalist economy has fueled and accelerated the climate crisis.
Political Economy --
1/ Understand informed critiques of capitalism and look at viable alternatives being proposed.
2/ Review some of the current efforts (policy, regulatory, commercial) aimed at dealing with the climate crisis and assess their challenges and limitations. Understand the implications of status quo or business as usual.
3/ Consider the roles and ethical responsibilities of individuals, governments, non-governmental institutions, corporations, and finance in dealing with the climate crisis.
Class Notes
0.5 credit/5-week Special Topics class