LARTS 465 Energy in the 21st Century
Some people are confused why not much progress appears to have been made in phasing out polluting, nonrenewable resources like oil, gas, and coal and transitioning to alternative nonpolluting, renewable energies. This course takes a non-traditional approach to this issue in that it explores the benefits of fossil fuels as well as the stumbling blocks to implementing alternative energy technologies such as hydropower, wave power, biomass, solar, geothermal, wind, hydrogen and nuclear energies. Science, technology, policy, and societal concerns will be discussed in a seminar style in which students research and make presentations on each type of energy. We will also discuss the "smart" use of energy, as well as the storage, transportation, housing, and consumption of energy. We will conclude by discussing and creating potential policies for the expedited phasing in of alternative technologies, addressing regional, strategic, health, safety, and environmental concerns.