Welcome to PWS 180
This course focuses on one of the defining environmental, ethical, and spiritual challenges of our day: human-caused climate change. Whether you are taking the course for credit or learning on your own, I am grateful that you are here. Over the 15 weeks of this semester, we will explore the scope and causes of climate change, emphasizing multiple approaches (cultural, political, and personal) to solving this challenge.
Course structure
I am structuring this class as an open learning environment that is accessible to BYU students for credit and anyone with an internet connection for learning. There will be live class sessions on Mondays and Fridays (10-10:50 MST), which you can access via the Zoom link in the syllabus. For those enrolled in the course through BYU, you will use Learning Suite (BYU's learning managements software) to submit assignments. If other participants wish to submit and receive feedback on assignments, I encourage you to organize among yourselves on Slack or the Google group (details below).
To allow all participants to stay up to speed, I will make announcements via both Learning Suite and a Google Group (all links are in the syllabus). I also have created a Slack channel, which allows greater two-way communication (you can post resources and questions for all participants) and multiple settings for notification type and frequency. As we work through the five sections listed below, I will add recorded materials, readings, and activities for each week to the Section web page (click on the picture or "More" button to access each page).
Values and perspectives
As BYU is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this course is taught from the perspective of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, students and participants from all backgrounds and beliefs are invited to fully participate and engage as we explore this crucial topic. Your individual and cultural perspectives will enrich and deepen the conversation. As we listen to each other sincerely while avoiding assumptions and stereotypes, I know we will be enlightened and uplifted.
