12 Carbon
This webpage gives the basic outline for a weekly module. The full module with videos, readings, homework assignments, and other resources is available in Canvas by contacting the instructor.
CARBON
Objectives
We will delve into an element, carbon, that is a fundamental component of most biological systems on earth and of many materials used in societies throughout history and around the globe. As we likely know, carbon is also entangled in a number of major transformations that will be directly impacting the lives of individuals and societies worldwide. As we prepare to confront this future, we will relate science fiction literature and the work of the imagination to addressing the engineering challenges of future societies.
SLO
- identify the properties and sources of carbon
- explore the carbon cycle and how it operates
- examine the concept of the “anthropocene” and how our entanglements with carbon-based technologies affect our social and physical worlds
- relate science fiction literature and the work of the imaginary to addressing the engineering challenges of future societies
Day 1
Prof. Jones lecture on the background on carbon and the carbon cycle.
Day 2
Prof. Terry Harpold (English) presents an introduction to Climate Fiction, a new genre of science fiction interested in exploring and documenting a world impacted by the consequences of climate change. This lecture will also discuss how writing science fiction is an exercise in imagining future realities outside of the blinders of our contemporary society. In this way, science fiction enables us to prepare to meet the challenges and needs of future societies.
Day 3
As we know very well from our discussions of sustainability throughout the semester, the way we use materials in the world today impacts how we will live in the future. To conclude this final module, we will explore how science fiction authors and climatologists are in dialogue to discuss how we can prepare to adapt to the challenges of living in an altered future world. And we will use the tools of narrative to imagine ourselves what this future world may hold.
