Climate & Society: Aotearoa New Zealand - Fall 2024

Undergraduate Program
Finding solutions to the problems brought about by climate change requires going beyond scientific data.

We must also consider the possibilities found within social and political institutions, economic systems, cultural practices, and the creative forces of art, literature, and design. The humanities and social sciences contribute to knowledge of how our changing climate impacts human lives and societies, and they play a vital role in building strategies for global climate resilience and adaptation.

During the shore component, students will develop a semester-long research project, review essential climate humanities literature, and design a plan for original field research. Climate & Society will discuss a range of climate related issues including human migration and displacement, coastal and urban resilience, environmental justice, energy alternatives, and sustainable design.

The sailing component begins in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, where students will examine climate change issues and local solutions with marine scientists and community leaders. Students will learn about coastal erosion mitigation strategies in Aotearoa New Zealand and explore the effects of climate change on agricultural production and foodways there. Through daily oceanographic surveys, “classroom” discussions, and navigational training while at sea, students participating in Climate & Society will gain a unique and valuable perspective of how climate change links oceanic and terrestrial systems. The Climate & Society cruise track returns to Auckland with a final onboard symposium featuring student presentations of field research and storytelling projects.

Fall 2024
Oct 7 - Dec 23
Aoraki
Oct 7 - Nov 13
Woods Hole, MA
Nov 14 - Nov 23
Remote Shore
Nov 24 - Dec 23
At Sea
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Learning Objectives

Students participating in this program can expect the following:
Conduct original research while exploring the ocean environment of Aotearoa New Zealand
Examine how coastal communities are impacted by and adapting to climate change
Interact with local communities to explore solutions using a multi-disciplinary approach

Port Stops

*Port stops are not guaranteed and will be evaluated based on weather conditions closer to the sea component.

Auckland

Napier

Great Barrier Island

Locations

*Port stops are not guaranteed and will be evaluated based on weather conditions closer to the on shore component.

Christchurch

Milford Sound

Aoraki/Mount Cook

Final Mission Frenzy

December 22, 2023
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Sleep and Other Fantasies

December 17, 2023
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Evening Underway

December 16, 2023
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Academic Credit

Course Descriptions & Syllabi

This program carries 18 semester hour credits from Boston University for successful completion of the program.

Syllabi for previous years are available for review. Detailed course content for future programs is dependent on cruise track, seasons, port stops, current events and faculty, and will be available closer to the program start date.

Climate, Society, and the Humanities300 level, 4 credits, CAS NS 331

Survey of climate literature across humanities and social science disciplines. Explores interpretive and comparative approaches to understanding human-climate interactions in maritime contexts and identifies collaborative potential with the natural sciences. Requires interdisciplinary research, field journal writing, and team projects.

View Syllabus

Environmental Communication300 level, 3 credits, CAS NS 332

Seminar focusing on communication skills development for environmental scholars. Introduces the field of environmental communication, examines environmental attitudes and behaviors, and develops a toolkit of communications strategies. Includes projects in data visualization, multi-media presentation and digital storytelling.

Leadership in a Dynamic Environment300 level, 3 credits, CAS NS 329

Be an effective leader while leveraging the individual strengths of a team. Use leadership theory and case studies to understand how decisions affect outcomes. Participate as an active member of a ship’s crew, progressively assuming full leadership roles.

The Ocean and Global Change200 level, 4 credits, CAS NS 326

Ocean ecosystem change in the anthropocene: warming, acidification, fisheries depletion, and pollution. Review principles of circulation, seawater chemistry, nutrient dynamics, and biological production to understand causes and consequences of change. Conduct field measurements for contribution to time-series datasets.

Choice of:

Directed Oceanographic Research300 level, 4 credits

Two lab science courses (one at the 200-level or higher) or consent of instructor.
Design and conduct original oceanographic research. Collect data and analyze samples. Compile results in peer-reviewed manuscript format and share during oral or poster presentation session. Emphasis on development of research skills and written/oral communication abilities.

View Syllabus

Practical Oceanographic Research200 level, 4 credits

Introduction to oceanographic research. Design a collaborative, hypothesis-driven project following the scientific process. Collect original data. Conduct analysis and interpretation, then prepare a written report and oral presentation.

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