Course Form (revised 5/1/12)
(Instructions: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/courseform_instructionsX.aspx)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Resource Conservation
Prefix and Course
#
NRSM 526
Course Title
Please check one or
more of the following:
Climate and Society
X New course  Delete course
Course Changes  Course Title  Description  Learning
Outcomes
 Prerequisites  Cross-listing  Other
 Credits
from _________ to________
 Number / Level from _________ to________
 Repeatability
from _________ to________
Justification / explanation (required for ALL proposals) For new courses please provide rationale
for why the course is needed, how it fits with exiting curriculum and whether there are curricular
adjustments.
This course will service graduate students in the Resource Conservation M.S., the International
Conservation and Development Program, the Forestry Ph.D., and the Systems Ecology Ph.D. by
providing an in-depth examination of climate change and society, and an understanding of how the
social sciences contribute to our understanding of and solutions to global climate change.
Has the Department gone through common course
X Yes  No  In process
Review?
II. Syllabus/Assessment Information Required for new courses, learning outcome changes and
course change from U to UG.
Important: please spell out learning goals and learning outcomes clearly in the syllabus.
Learning Goals are a list of what students should know, understand, or be able to do at the end of
the course, including essential information and knowledge or skills relevant to the subject area.
Learning Outcomes are measures of performance or behavior that indicate, to the teacher and the
students, that students understand the material, and what criteria differentiates among different
levels of understanding. Attach syllabus at the end of the document.
III. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Approve
Requestor:
Laurie Yung
Phone/ email :
6934
Program Chair(s)/Director:
Laurie Yung
 Yes 
No
 Yes 
No
Dean(s):
Mike Patterson
 Yes 
No
 Yes 
No
N/A
All other affected programs:
 Yes 
No
 Yes 
No
Are other departments/programs affected by this
modification because of
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or
corequisites,
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
Signatory Comments (required for disapproval):
Please obtain signature(s) from the
Chair/Director of any such department/
program (above) before submission
IV: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant
X
disciplines if course is interdisciplinary.
(http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please
indicate equivalent course/campus. 
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. The course number may be
changed at the system level.
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl.
Climate and Society
spaces)
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.) 
G 526 Climate and Society 3 cr. Offered spring. This course applies relevant social and political
theory to the problem of climate change and examines the social science of climate change.
Complete for UG courses (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment - see procedure 301.30
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convened courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section
V)
See procedure 301.20 http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
NRSM 426 Climate and Society (see course form for NRSM 426) – syllabus pasted below
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium
YES
NO
by the Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by
Administration and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting
X
specific conditions according to Policy 940.12.1
http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf . Please indicate whether this course
will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
V. Change an Existing Course
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
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?
http://www.mus.edu/Qtools/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether the change will eliminate the common course
status.
YE
S
N
O
5. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default.aspx
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to Have you reviewed the graduate
UG. Reference procedure 301.30:
increment guidelines? Please check
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/procedures/default. (X) space provided.
aspx
(syllabus must be attached)
7. Other programs affected by the change
8. Is there a fee associated with the course?
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.
Please note that the highlighted sections indicate differences between the 400 and 500-level courses.
NRSM 526
Climate and Society
Instructor: Laurie Yung
laurie.yung@umontana.edu
Main Hall 308
243-6934
Course Description
This course examines the social, economic, and political aspects of climate change, with a focus on
both international and domestic processes and examples. Students will explore the social aspects of
climate change at multiple scales, from individual behavior to global governance. The course will draw on
multiple disciplinary perspectives within the social sciences to examine the socioeconomic impacts of
climate change, and the social and political sides of mitigation and adaptation. The course provides a
window into the complex interactions between scales, actors, and society and environment, and the ways in
which social theory is utilized to improve understanding of climate change impacts and facilitate the
building of equitable solutions.
Course Objectives
Graduate students in this course will:
1. Understand how relevant social and political theory has been applied to improve understanding of
the social, economic, and political impacts of climate change.
2. Understand how relevant social and political research has facilitated the development of mitigation
and adaptation initiatives.
3. Understand the key debates within the social sciences as they relate to climate change.
4. Understand the relationship between biophysical and social sciences in the context of climate
change.
5. Build critical thinking and analytic skills, including the ability to provide concise and in-depth
analyses in written and oral forms
Graduate Discussion Sessions
The instructor will meet with graduate students for four 2 hour sessions during the semester to discuss
additional readings required for graduate students from the Oxford Handbook (see below). Graduate
discussion sessions will be conducted in seminar-style format and students are expected to come prepared
to critically analyze and explore the readings.
Course Readings
Mearns, R. and A. Norton. 2010. Social Dimensions of Climate Change. The World Bank: Washington
D.C. (selected chapters)
Urry, J. 2011. Climate Change and Society. Polity Press: Cambridge, U.K.
Lever-Tracy, Constance. 2010. Routledge Handbook of Climate Change and Society. Routledge: London,
U.K. (selected chapters)
Dryzek, J.S., Norgaard, R.B., and D. Schlosberg. 2011. The Oxford Handbook of Climate Change and
Society. Oxford University Press: Oxford, U.K.
Readings must be completed prior to class. To adequately prepare for class, students should be familiar
with the “facts” outlined in the reading (who, what, when, where, how, etc.) and carefully analyze and
critique the material presented (making connections to other readings, class discussions, and the policy
process as a whole). As you are reading, make notes about key points, questions you have, interesting
issues raised, and connections to other topics being covered in the course.
Course Schedule/Topics
Social Science and Climate Change
Socioeconomic Impacts: International
Socioeconomic Impacts: Domestic
Equity and Justice
Vulnerability
Migration
Security and Violent Conflict
Global Governance
Domestic Policy
Behavior Change
Energy Systems
Geoengineering
Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
Religion and Climate Change
Media and Communication
U.S. Climate Change Politics
Knowledge and the Nature of Climate Skepticism
Policy and Adaptation
Adaptive capacity
Gender, Poverty, and Adaptation
Local Institutions and Adaptation
Rights and Livelihoods
Public Engagement
Alternative Futures: New Forms of Capitalism
Alternative Futures: New Systems and Lifestyles
Deliberative Transformation
------Complexity and Systems Theory
Social-Ecology Systems
The Politics of Knowledge and Science
Social Movements and Political Change
Debates about Vulnerability
Problems of Time Horizons and Uncertainty
Evaluation
Assignment
In-class response essays
Research paper
Participation
Presentation
Percentage of Final Grade
30%
40%
10%
20%
In-Class Response Essays
Throughout the semester, students will be asked to respond to course material (readings, films, lectures)
through short in-class essays. Essays must demonstrate an understanding of the material and thoughtful
analysis of the key issues. Graduate students will be expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of
the material and the ability to apply social theory in their essays.
Graduate Student Research Paper
Graduate students will be required to write a 15-18 page research paper on a topic relevant to the course.
Students will select topics and submit abstracts and key sources before spring break. Graduate research
papers must utilize relevant primary literature and provide an original, well-argued, well-supported
analysis. Graduate research papers are expected to examine the ways in which social theory is applied to
specific aspects of climate change.
Graduate Student Presentation
Graduate students will be required to provide a 12-minute presentation on their research paper topic. This
presentation must clearly and concisely present their analysis, with an emphasis on social theory.
Participation
Students are expected to take an active role in their education in this course, and course grades will be
based, in part, on student participation. Participation includes attendance, punctuality, attentiveness, effort,
and being prepared for class (having completed any assignments, including the reading for that day).
Participation also means offering one's thoughts, ideas, opinions, and questions during class. There will be
frequent opportunities for discussion during class, providing time for you to explore the complexity of the
policy process and, in particular, work on issues you find confusing. Your participation grade is not based
on knowing the "right" answers or the quantity or length of your comments (in fact, concise and succinct
comments, where appropriate, are favorable), but rather on your willingness to contribute, evidence that
you have completed and thought through material presented in the reading, and the quality of your
contributions. In addition to talking in class, participation includes respect for differing opinions.
Participation grades will also be based on the quality of student’s contributions to class activities. Students
who arrive late, miss class, fail to do readings on time, and/or do not engage in class discussions will be
penalized.
General Grading and Attendance Policies
Because your presence in class has an important affect on your learning, attendance will be recorded and
counted toward your participation grade. If you have an emergency that interferes with attendance, please
let me know and I will take the circumstances into account (but please know that I may ask for
documentation).
Written assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified due date. If you miss class at any
time, you are responsible for inquiring about any new assignments. Late papers will be accepted, but your
grade will be lowered at least one letter grade (and potentially more depending on your circumstances and
how late the paper is – bottom line: if you are late with a paper, you should still turn it in, but get it to me
as soon as possible).
Grading Scale
Final course grades will be determined based on the following scale:
93-100 A
90-92
A88-89
B+
83-87
B
80-82
B78-79
C+
73-77
C
70-72
C68-69
D+
63-67
D
60-62
D59F
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NRSM 426
Climate and Society
Instructor: Laurie Yung
laurie.yung@umontana.edu
Main Hall 308
243-6934
Course Description
This course examines the social, economic, and political aspects of climate change, with a focus on
both international and domestic processes and examples. Students will explore the social aspects of
climate change at multiple scales, from individual behavior to global governance. The course will draw on
multiple disciplinary perspectives within the social sciences to examine the socioeconomic impacts of
climate change, and the social and political sides of mitigation and adaptation. The course provides a
window into the complex interactions between scales, actors, and society and environment.
Course Objectives
Students in this course will:
6. Understand the key social, economic, and political aspects of climate change.
7. Gain knowledge of the contributions of different social science disciplines to understanding and
addressing the problem of climate change
8. Improve writing, speaking, and analytical skills
Course Readings
Mearns, R. and A. Norton. 2010. Social Dimensions of Climate Change. The World Bank: Washington
D.C. (selected chapters)
Urry, J. 2011. Climate Change and Society. Polity Press: Cambridge, U.K.
Lever-Tracy, Constance. 2010. Routledge Handbook of Climate Change and Society. Routledge: London,
U.K. (selected chapters)
Readings must be completed prior to class. To adequately prepare for class, students should be familiar
with the “facts” outlined in the reading (who, what, when, where, how, etc.) and carefully analyze and
critique the material presented (making connections to other readings, class discussions, and the policy
process as a whole). As you are reading, make notes about key points, questions you have, interesting
issues raised, and connections to other topics being covered in the course.
Course Schedule/Topics
Social Science and Climate Change
Socioeconomic Impacts: International
Socioeconomic Impacts: Domestic
Equity and Justice
Vulnerability
Migration
Security and Violent Conflict
Global Governance
Domestic Policy
Behavior Change
Energy Systems
Geoengineering
Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
Religion and Climate Change
Media and Communication
U.S. Climate Change Politics
Knowledge and the Nature of Climate Skepticism
Policy and Adaptation
Adaptive capacity
Gender, Poverty, and Adaptation
Local Institutions and Adaptation
Rights and Livelihoods
Public Engagement
Alternative Futures: New Forms of Capitalism
Alternative Futures: New Systems and Lifestyles
Deliberative Transformation
Evaluation
Assignment
In-class response essays
Research paper
Participation
Percentage of Final Grade
30%
40%
10%
Short presentation
20%
In-Class Response Essays
Throughout the semester, students will be asked to respond to course material (readings, films, lectures)
through short in-class essays. Essays must demonstrate an understanding of the material and thoughtful
analysis of the key issues.
Research Paper
Students will be required to write an 8-10 page research paper on a topic relevant to the course. Students
will select topics and submit abstracts and key sources before spring break. Research papers must be
clearly written, utilize evidence to support arguments/assertions, and provide a thoughtful, detailed analysis
of the topic.
Short Presentation
Students will be required to provide a 5-minute presentation on their research paper topic. This
presentation must be clear and concise and convey the key points of their analysis.
Participation
Students are expected to take an active role in their education in this course, and course grades will be
based, in part, on student participation. Participation includes attendance, punctuality, attentiveness, effort,
and being prepared for class (having completed any assignments, including the reading for that day).
Participation also means offering one's thoughts, ideas, opinions, and questions during class. There will be
frequent opportunities for discussion during class, providing time for you to explore the complexity of the
policy process and, in particular, work on issues you find confusing. Your participation grade is not based
on knowing the "right" answers or the quantity or length of your comments (in fact, concise and succinct
comments, where appropriate, are favorable), but rather on your willingness to contribute, evidence that
you have completed and thought through material presented in the reading, and the quality of your
contributions. In addition to talking in class, participation includes respect for differing opinions.
Participation grades will also be based on the quality of student’s contributions to class activities. Students
who arrive late, miss class, fail to do readings on time, and/or do not engage in class discussions will be
penalized.
General Grading and Attendance Policies
Because your presence in class has an important affect on your learning, attendance will be recorded and
counted toward your participation grade. If you have an emergency that interferes with attendance, please
let me know and I will take the circumstances into account (but please know that I may ask for
documentation).
Written assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified due date. If you miss class at any
time, you are responsible for inquiring about any new assignments. Late papers will be accepted, but your
grade will be lowered at least one letter grade (and potentially more depending on your circumstances and
how late the paper is – bottom line: if you are late with a paper, you should still turn it in, but get it to me
as soon as possible).
Grading Scale
Final course grades will be determined based on the following scale:
93-100 A
90-92
A88-89
B+
83-87
B
80-82
B78-79
C+
73-77
70-72
68-69
63-67
60-62
59-
C
CD+
D
DF