SUPR 321 Energy and Society
How we produce and use energy has a far-reaching impact on our communities, both local and global. This course examines the historical conditions that shaped major developments in energy extraction and consumption, from fossil fuel dependence and resource depletion to renewable and sustainable alternatives, and then analyzes how these approaches are currently being perpetuated and/or rethought. As part of this process, students consider the fundamentals of energy science, infrastructures, and alternative technologies. Importantly, the course takes a social justice lens to exploring how power and inequality shape energy access and the uneven impact energy production has on different communities and geographic regions. Class projects include a group environmental project and paper, such as a beach cleanup, a film review, and a group presentation on a research topic. Field trips and guest speakers inform student's understanding of how social, political, and cultural factors shape energy in Southern California.