I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program Climate Change Studies
Course Form
Prefix and Course #
Course Title Climate Change Field Studies
CCS U 352
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) Climate Field Studies
Summarize the change(s) proposed
II. Endorsement/Approvals
New Course
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Requestor:
Please type / print name Signature
Nicky Phear
Date
Phone/ email : 243-6932/ nicky.phear@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director: Dr. Steve Running, Climate
Other affected programs
Change Studies Program
Director
Dean: Dr. Perry Brown, Dean
College of Forestry and
Conservation
Are other departments/programs affected by this modification because of
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
Please obtain signature(s) from the
Chair/Director of any such department/ program (above) before submission
(c) cross-listing of coursework
III: To Add a New Course S yllabus and assessment information is required ( paste syllabus into section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp

YES NO
X
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits, repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.)

U CCS 352 Climate Change Field Studies, 2 cr . Offered summer. This is an interdisciplinary field course focused on climate change impacts and adaptation. Through site visits and meetings with key decision-makers, students gain knowledge of projected impacts due to climate change (water availability, wildfire, beetle kill, biodiversity), the impacts to various sectors of human society (land management, food and water security, economic stability, and livelihoods), and different mitigation and adaptation responses.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
This course will serve as one of the course available to students who minor in Climate Change Studies.
There is no current field studies course focused specifically on climate change and natural resource management.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
)


Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
YES
X
NO
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee? $100
Justification:
To help cover transportation costs using University of Monana van traveling between site visits, in addition to camping fees.
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course
– check X all that apply
Deletion Title
Course Number Change From:
To:
Level U, UG, G From:
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
( http://www.umt.edu/catalog )

Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed)

3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the course’s common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to
UG. Reference guidelines at: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send digital copy with form.

Climate Change Field Studies
CCS 352
CCS 352 Climate Change Field Studies
Credits: 2.0
Instructor
Nicky Phear, Climate Change Studies Program Coordinator and Instructor
Email: nicky.phear@umontana.edu
Phone: 243-6932
Office: CHCB 448
Course Description
Climate Change Field Studies is an interdisciplinary field course focused on climate change impacts and adaptation in the Crown of the Continent. Through site visits and meetings with key decisionmakers, students gain knowledge of projected impacts to the region due to climate change (water availability, wildfire, beetle kill, biodiversity), the impacts to various sectors of human society (land management, food and water security, economic stability, and livelihoods), and different mitigation and adaptation responses. Students conduct an independent research project by developing a

research question, designing methods, and collecting data related to that question while in the field.
Through course weblogs and a synthesizing paper, student integrate their learning across disciplines and multiple perspectives as they evaluate the ecological, social, political, and economic factors influencing climate change impacts and responses.
Course Itinerary
Over the course of a ten-day field course, students:
(1) visit a forest experiencing a beetle outbreak and meet with a leading forest pathologist;
(2) visit with ranchers experiencing long-term drought to discuss community impacts and adaptation options;
(3) visit melting glaciers and discuss changes to water cycles and implications for irrigators;
(4) meet with policy-makers involved in developing carbon markets;
(5) visit a forest restoration site on the Flathead Reservation and talk with tribal forestry staff about forest restoration in the context of climate change;
(6) visit a wind farm on ranchlands and learn about the benefits and challenges of energy production on rangelands; and,
(7) spend a day collecting biophysical and/or social data.
Learning Objectives
Students participating in the field course will:

Gain knowledge of climate change impacts, and specific strategies for mitigation and adaptation as they relate to management and conservation of forests and rangelands.

Learn the views, challenges, and priorities of public lands managers, private landowners, tribal land managers, scientists, conservationists, and public officials who are affected by and developing responses to climate change.

Develop skills that integrate and synthesize ecological, social, political, and economic factors influencing climate change impacts and responses.

Refine analytical skills through evaluation of local, state, and national responses to climate change.

Practice written communication skills through weblog entries.
Assessment
Students will be evaluated on the following assignments and activities:
1.
Academic Participation, 25%. Engagement with the course material, including active participation in class discussions, reference to readings, and engagement with course speakers and academic activities.
2.
Research Project, 25%. Each student will develop a research question and design methods for collecting data related to that question in the field. There will be a data collection day for students to collect biophysical and/or social data related to their question. Students will examine results and discuss with the class.
3.
Weblog Entries, 25%. Write two, 600 word weblog entries on course events and learning.
Focus on the views, challenges, and priorities of two different course speakers who are affected by and/or developing responses to climate change. These will be edited and posted on the Climate Change Studies website.
4.
Synthesis Essay, 25%. Write a four to five page synthesizing paper that evaluates the ecological, social, political, and economic factors influencing climate change impacts and responses.
Pre and Post Coursework Assignments
Due to the short and intensive nature of this field course, students are expected to complete coursework before and after the course as follows:

Pre course: Each student will complete a course reading packet (detailed below).
Post course: Each student will write a four to five page synthesizing paper that evaluates the ecological, social, political, and economic factors influencing climate change impacts and responses.
Course Readings
Adger, W. N., S. Dessai, M. Goulden, M. Hulme, I. Lorenzoni, D. Nelson, L.O. Naess, J. Wolf, and
A. Wreford (2009).
Are there social limits to adaptation to climate change?
Climatic Change
93:335-354.
Carter, R. and S. Culp (2010). Planning for Climate Change in the West . Policy Focus Report by the
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Cambridge, MA.
Cole, D.N. and L. Yung (Eds) (2010). Beyond Naturalness: Rethinking Park and Wilderness
Stewardship in an Era of Rapid Change. Washington D.C.: Island Press.
Millar, C.I, N.L. Stephenson, and S. L. Stephens (2007). Climate change and forests of the future:
Managing in the face of uncertainty. Ecological Applications 17(8):2145–2151.
Loarie, S.R., P.B. Duffy, H. Hamilton, G.P. Asner, C.B. Field, and D.D. Ackerly (2009). The velocity of climate change. Nature.
462, 1052-1055
VI Department Summary
(Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission.
After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.