InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Cli-Fi: Climate Science in Literary Texts
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The materials are free and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Cli-Fi: Climate Science in Literary Texts

Initial Publication Date: March 7, 2016

Summary

This module addresses both aspects of climate literacy: understanding of climate science through data analysis and interpretation, and understanding of literary tools and techniques through which climate science is portrayed. The module is designed to be completed in introductory natural science classes where literature is not typically included as well as in humanities classes where climate change science is not normally addressed. Students will engage in activities that address both climate change science and climate change literature, including graphing data, working in groups to analyze and interpret data, creating a concept map, conducting rhetorical analyses, and writing and responding to a blog.

Strengths of the Module

Students who learn with this module will:
  • Plot and interpret climate change data and relate interpretations to climate system interactions.
  • Rhetorically analyze the treatment of a climate change issue in a work of climate change literature.
  • Assess the value of both literature and scientific data in communicating the grand societal challenge represented by climate change.
In working with data, students will:
  • Download and graph climate-related data including precipitation, temperature, and sea ice extent using Excel.
  • Identify and describe trends in paleoclimatic and modern data.
  • Make use of different literary techniques to present data.
Next Generation Science Standards Logo. A purple, orange, and green triangle to the left of the words, Next Generation Science Standards.

These materials have been reviewed for their alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards. At the top of each page, you can click on the NGSS logo to see the specific connections. Visit InTeGrate and the NGSS to learn more about the process of alignment and how to use InTeGrate materials to implement the NGSS.

NGSS in this Module

Overall, this module provides an opportunity to engage students in an interdisciplinary activity that combines analysis techniques from English/Language Arts and science. Students engage in data analysis and interpretation of regional and global climate data, and analyze different genres of written texts (including fiction) for literary techniques and strategies, ultimately combining the two types of analyses to develop their own communication strategies for climate change science.


A great fit for courses in:

  • Environmental science
  • Environmental studies
  • Literature
  • Climate science
  • Science communication
  • Global change


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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »