Syllabus
Master of Science in Climate Change Leadership
CCL 615: Emerging Impact of Climate Disasters
Credits - 3
Description
The impact of climate change-related disasters has gained attention over the last decade. In this course, students will examine the increase in frequency, severity, and human cost of natural disasters. With a lessons-learned approach to case study review, students will develop mitigation plans and policies with an emphasis on adaptability to the changing global climate concerns.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Evaluate the increase in frequency, severity, and human cost of natural disasters in the context of climate change, using historical data and current research.
- Conduct in-depth analyses of selected case studies of climate change-related disasters to identify key factors contributing to their impact and to extract lessons learned.
- Propose effective mitigation plans and policies tailored to address the specific challenges posed by climate change-induced disasters.
- Assess the adaptability of existing disaster management and mitigation strategies in light of evolving climate patterns and emerging scientific findings.
- Develop comprehensive policy recommendations that integrate climate change considerations into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks.
- Critically reflect on and debate the ethical, social, and economic implications of various disaster mitigation strategies and policies, considering their effectiveness and potential trade-offs.
Assignments
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Academic Integrity Agreement | 1 |
| Week 1 Intro Discussion | 2 |
| Discussions (Weeks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) - 6 points each | 36 |
| Week 2 Assignment | 7 |
| Week 2 eJournal: Leading with Values | 2 |
| Week 3 Assignment | 7 |
| Week 4 Assignment | 7 |
| Week 5 Assignment | 7 |
| Week 5 eJournal: Leading with Data and Equity | 2 |
| Week 6 Assignment | 7 |
| Week 7 Final Assignment | 20 |
| Week 7 eJournal: From Knowledge to Leadership | 2 |
| Capstone Connection | Ungraded |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Term Start date: Sept 2, 2026
Term End date: Oct 18, 2026
Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Friday
Week 1: Health Priorities
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze how alterations in environmental conditions due to climate change can create favorable conditions for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, such as the Zika virus.
- Assess the specific ways in which climate change can impact the distribution, abundance, and biting rates of disease-carrying vectors like the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.
Assignments:
- Week 1, Discussion 1: Introduce Yourself!
- Week 1, Discussion 2: Zika Forecast
Week 2: Climate Impacts
Learning outcomes:
- Communicate the positive impacts of clean air initiatives on public health, environmental quality, and overall well-being.
- Develop strategies for fostering community involvement and participation in environmental initiatives, including the implementation of clean air measures.
Assignments:
- Week 2 eJournal: Leading Through Values
- Week 2 Assignment: Clean Air Initiative
Week 3: Climate Basics
Learning outcomes:
- Describe the natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and solar radiation, and human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, that influence climate patterns.
- Evaluate the role of climate science in shaping policies and practices aimed at addressing climate change and fostering environmental sustainability.
Assignments:
- Week 3 Discussion: Climate Predictions
- Week 3 Assignment: Climate Change and Healthcare
Week 4: Climate Variabilities & Trends
Learning outcomes:
- Explain how variations in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather patterns affect public health outcomes, including the spread of diseases, heat-related illnesses, and respiratory issues.
- Propose strategies for protecting vulnerable populations based on the analysis of climate data, including interventions for heatwaves and changes in rainfall patterns.
Assignments:
- Week 4 Discussion – Peer Review Discussion
- Week 4 Assignment: Clean Air Digi-Poster
Week 5: Climate Data Past & Present
Learning outcomes:
- Propose effective and equitable strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation based on an integrated understanding of past and present climate data, with consideration for the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable and historically marginalized communities.
- Demonstrate how the integration of historical and current climate data can guide informed and equitable decision-making in addressing the challenges of a changing climate, including the environmental justice implications of climate-related risks and adaptation efforts.
Assignments:
- Week 5 Discussion: Using Climate Data
- Week 5 eJournal: Leading with Data and Equity
- Week 5 Assignment: Environmentally Speaking
Week 6: Climate Data for Early Warnings
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze various proactive measures that can be implemented based on climate forecast information.
- Develop communication strategies for effectively conveying climate forecast information to various stakeholders to enhance preparedness and response efforts.
- Examine real-world case studies of successful early warning systems and their outcomes in reducing vulnerability to climate change impacts.
Assignments:
- Week 6 Discussion – Peer Review Discussion
- Week 6 Assignment: The Hurriedly Hurricane
- Week 6: Capstone Connection (ungraded)
Week 7: Climate Information for Adaptation & Reflection
Learning outcomes:
- Explain the concept of climate adaptation and describe how proactive changes in systems, practices, and policies can reduce the impacts of climate change.
- Identify and evaluate key climate adaptation strategies—such as flood defenses, water management improvements, and biodiversity protection—that enhance community resilience.
- Reflect on personal and societal responsibilities in responding to climate change by analyzing how daily choices and awareness of vulnerable populations contribute to meaningful climate action.
Assignments:
- Week 7 Discussion – Climate Reflection
- Week 7 eJournal: From Knowledge to Leadership
- Week 7 Final Assignment: Climate Resilient Community
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
UNE Library
Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Business & Entrepreneurship Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/business-administration/
- Environment & Sustainability Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/environmental-sciences-studies/
- Marine Sciences Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/marine-sciences/
- Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit: UNE Student Academic Success Center
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their student success team member and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week
Phone: Mon-Fri: (207) 602-2487
After Hours/Weekends: 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Passing Grade Statement
A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement
Learning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society. AI is not a substitute for developing and enhancing skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing essential to a public health professional. If you choose to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E2, they must be used wisely and intelligently to deepen your understanding of a subject matter and support learning. You are not allowed to use AI tools to generate your work. Content produced using AI tools cannot be used as a substitute for your original work.
Students in the Climate Change Leadership Program must take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of AI-generated content used in any work. You are expected to think critically about the results and alignment with the questions or tasks in the assignment and never substitute AI-generated results for professional human judgment and logic. Students are also expected to understand that the information generated is not always accurate and, in some cases, propagates discrimination and bias. You must stay abreast of AI best practices, and the changing risks and benefits, and monitor AI for biases and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.
Within the Program, using AI-generated content in academic work falls under our academic integrity policies. All instructors will continue to use our AI detection software for each assignment submitted so it will be flagged.
Using any AI tool in your work must be acknowledged in-text every time it is used, not in your list of references. You will include a summary of what the AI tool was used to do, followed by the AI tool brand name, version/extension #, manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses.
For example,
Themes from participant responses were identified using a chatbot session (ChatGPT, model GPT-4, OpenAI, May 17, 2025).
Failure to acknowledge the inclusion of AI-generated content in any work submitted violates our academic integrity policies and will be considered an infraction with the associated penalties for plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.
The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in proper citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.
Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy
6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.