Spring 2026 - GEOG 333 E100
Climate Crisis: Understanding a World on Fire (4)
Class Number: 2272
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Geoffrey Mann
geoffm@sfu.ca
Office Hours: TBA
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Prerequisites:
A minimum of 45 units.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the fundamental social and human-geographical dimensions of climate change: the ideas, tools, and institutions through which human communities and institutions are responding (or not) to the challenges of a warming planet.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course will give students a broad introduction to the fundamental social and human-geographical dimensions of climate change. The goal is to help students understand our best estimates of where we are right now with respect to planetary climate change—politically, ecologically, and economically—what has been suggested we might do about the current crisis, and how to analyze the options. In particular, it will have two main themes: (a) examining the tools, like economic analysis and forecasting, that we use despite enormous uncertainty to understand climate change and anticipate its effects; and (b) understanding existing and proposed institutions, technologies, and forms political organization that might allow us to address the political-economic, ecological, and social challenges posed by climate change. All of this will be grounded in a concern for distributional impacts, both within and between nation-states.
Note: There will be no tutorials during the first week of class.
Grading
- Review 30%
- Report from the future 30%
- Participation/tutorial 20%
- Presentation (in tutorial) 10%
- In class writing 10%
Materials
RECOMMENDED READING:
Selected articles circulated by the instructor or available free through SFU Library
1 book, chosen from a list.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.