Geology 494CI - Climate Change/Ancient Civ

This course examines the environmental, societal, and climatic factors that contributed to the collapse of ancient civilizations and explores their relevance to modern society. Integrating environmental sciences, sociology, climate change, ecology, and anthropology, this interdisciplinary course provides students with a theoretical framework to analyze how historical environmental challenges led to societal decline. Through case studies of civilizations such as the Maya, Anasazi, and Rapa Nui, students will critically assess the role of environmental damage, climate change, resource scarcity, and societal responses in shaping human history. Emphasis is placed on understanding how these ancient challenges parallel today?s issues, offering insights into the sustainability of modern populations and ecosystems. The course fosters critical thinking, oral communication, and collaborative skills, preparing students to address complex real-world environmental and societal issues. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for Geology majors.

This course fulfills the Integrative Experience (IE) requirement for majors in Geology, Earth Systems, and Environmental Science, and it is recommended for Geography majors in the Climate Change & Society concentration.