The Future We Want To Build

The Future We Want To Build

When it comes to global climate change, we don’t have a data or science problem, we have a storytelling one. In this FIG we will read stories of a climate-changed world or “cli-fi” and investigate how those stories impact us and others. We will also examine some of cli-fi’s sub-genres and concepts including post-apocalyptic, dystopian, hope punk, and solar punk, and learn about current and future solutions to climate change. This FIG will also emphasize environmental and climate justice, recognizing that the impacts of climate change are unequally distributed. In the FIG course, you will have an opportunity to share your own story of living in a warming world. For the final project we will bring it all together as we co-create our own science fictional vision of the future we want to build. In this FIG you will get to expand your abilities in critical thinking, climate change impacts and solutions, imagination, and creativity. The courses in this FIG will give you information and insight into our changing world and what people are doing about it. While we will be authentic about the very real challenges we face with global warming, including the fear, grief, and anger that come with these challenges, we will ultimately focus on shaping a different story—one of solutions and productive transition to a just and sustainable world.


Students explore the intersection of topics by taking the following course package:

UGST 109 First-Year Experience Seminar - 1-credit

PPPM 205 Intro to City Planning - CoreEd or major satisfying course, 4-credits

Introduction to City Planning introduces students to the field of city planning an academic discipline that synthesizes a diverse set of fields, thinks about how the world should ideally be, then figures out how to move in that direction. The course will cover a range of focal areas in the field of planning including: physical and land use planning, public health, housing, community development, social equity, environmental planning and transportation planning. The purpose of the course is to give students a general context of what planning is, the topics it deals with, and to convey that the way cities are designed and function is lively and everchanging. Ultimately, the purpose of this course is to inspire students to see that the field of city planning is a mechanism to make the world a better place.

GEOG 141 The Natural Environment - CoreEd or major satisfying course, 4-credits

The earth's physical landscapes, vegetation patterns, weather, and climate; emphasis on the dynamic interactions among climate, landforms, vegetation, and soils.