After Maria: Climate Change, Vulnerability, and Resilience in the Caribbean

Catalog description

As the effects of climate change intensify across the globe, Puerto Rico stands at the forefront of both crisis and resilience. In this course, we will use a sociological lens to examine the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to the climate crisis in Puerto Rico. This study away course investigates the multifaceted impacts of climate change on Caribbean societies, focusing on vulnerability and resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane María. Students will explore how historical, social, and political forces shape the island's susceptibility to climate-related disasters and evaluate ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable and equitable future. A key theme of this course is environmental racism--how unequal power structures and colonial legacies expose marginalized communities to disproportionate environmental harm while limiting their access to recovery resources. Integrating perspectives from environmental science, sociology, and Caribbean studies, students will engage directly with communities in Puerto Rico through colloquia, historic tours, service projects, and cultural activities. By examining real-world responses to climate threats, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between environment, inequality, and resilience in the Caribbean. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Local & Global Engagement course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.