The Beach

Catalog description

Three hours lecture a week Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Golden Four GE Areas (1A, 1B, 1C, 2) This interdisciplinary course examines the environmental, scientific, and cultural significance of sandy beaches in California and beyond. Students investigate the physical and ecological processes that shape coastal systems, the human activities that alter them, and the management challenges posed by climate change and sea-level rise. Through scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary analysis, students evaluate beaches as natural, social, and cultural spaces, emphasizing sustainability, environmental justice, and the diverse ways societies value and protect the coast.