Earth & Space Sciences

This course examines the study of the ‘blue’ spaces of our planet—oceans, rivers, reefs, and inland bodies of water—through case studies in the arts and literature. Using the vantage point in Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, “The Great Connector”, it considers environments and peoples whose lives are explicitly connected with and determined by the ocean. It considers kinship, sovereignty, and belonging through aesthetic, historical, religious, political, social, and material manifestations. Situated around issues of ocean acidification, pollution, and sea-level rise, it critically reflects on ways the humanities can improve our knowledge of cultures, histories, publics and practices of the blue planet.

This course introduces students to the understanding of space and natural philosophy, aimed at cultivating scientific and interdisciplinary literacy for Yonsei students who will become future leaders of society. It covers the characteristics of science, an overview of the universe, stellar evolution and the origin of humans, and the relationship between science, technology, and the fate of nations. The course also explores galaxy formation and evolution, Big Bang cosmology and natural philosophy, dark matter and dark energy, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence in an accessible way. In addition, it introduces the history and future prospects of astronomical observation.

This course introduces major atmospheric phenomena and their related basic concepts of atmospheric dynamics, optics, chemistry, thermodynamics, and meteorology. 

Students examine atmospheric thermodynamics to describe changes in the state of water, atmospheric dynamics to describe the movement of air, photochemistry to determine the composition of the atmosphere, and the formation and radiation processes of aerosols and clouds. In addition, students acquire theoretical and experimental methods necessary to understand these complex processes and cultivate the ability to solve practical problems related to extreme weather. 

Prerequisites:  (Essential) Earth Environmental Science (1,2), Calculus (1,2). (Recommend) General Physics (1,2), General Chemistry (1,2)