Courses

Examines food, land, and culture from a critical interdisciplinary environmental perspective. Students have the opportunity to pursue their own interests related to food politics, planning, sustainable and alternative agriculture, human-animal relationships and ethics, from a local and or global perspective. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5011.

This course explores protected area management, which is a form of environmental management focusing on an area of land and/or freshwater/sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means. Integrated with ENVS 4446. Exclusion: Students who already took ENVS 4446. Crosslisted BIOL 5073

Critical investigation of approaches to, and topics in, processes of urban growth, decline, development, and redevelopment. Twentieth century theories of urbanization are examined and their relevancy for understanding selected recent urban problems are studied. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5021.

Provides students with a critical understanding of key renewable energy options for electricity generation, heating and cooling of buildings and transportation. Students will be introduced to a critical analysis of renewable energy as a strategy for climate change mitigation, community empowerment, industrial development, and energy security. Integrated with ENVS 4400. Exclusion: Students who already took ENVS 4400. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5050.

This intensive experiential course is an exploration of climate justice definitions, theory, case studies, and implications for policy and activism. It is organized around field visits and discussions with practitioners involved in various equity-related aspects of climate mitigation and adaptation, the history and evolution of fossil and post-fossil energy systems (with special focus on Toronto, Ontario, and Canada), global and local sacrifice zones, the renewable energy transition, and climate justice activism. Field trips, guest speakers, and discussions are integral parts of this course

This intensive experiential course is an exploration of climate justice definitions, theory, case studies, and implications for policy and activism. It is organized around field visits and discussions with practitioners involved in various equity-related aspects of climate mitigation and adaptation, the history and evolution of fossil and post-fossil energy systems (with special focus on Toronto, Ontario, and Canada), global and local sacrifice zones, the renewable energy transition, and climate justice activism. Field trips, guest speakers, and discussions are integral parts of this course This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5055.

Examines and evaluates how contemporary advocates employ law to protect the environment, secure equal access to environmental health, and contribute to social justice. Integrated with ENVS 4421. Exclusion: Students who already took ENVS 4421. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5061.

Examines current political, economic and social debates concerning extractive industry, placing these in the context of longer histories of global imperialism and colonialism. Following a review of conceptual approaches to natural resource `extraction`, the course will examine contemporary global regulation and resistance to it, focusing upon the state, the corporation, the resource, the affected community, and the (global) social movement as units of analysis. Integrated with ENVS 4310. Exclusion: Students who already took ENVS 4310.

Introduces incoming MES students to a broad range of debates and interdisciplinary perspectives in Environmental Studies as a basis for the preparation of the Initial Plan of Study. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5100.

Overview of theories exploring racism, colonialism, gender and sexuality in relation to each other and to a range of urban and other environments. The course employs an intersectional perspective that foregrounds feminist, queer, transgender and other subjugated knowledges of racial capitalism, anti-Blackness and settler colonialism.

Introduction to concepts and principles in ecology as they relate to both natural and managed environments and to resources, planning, management, and conservation. Topics are analyzed within the context of ecological change and its implications for both the non-human world and human habitats. This course was offered as EU/ENVS 5112.

Exploration in the emerging field of ecological economics, including discussion of: the optimal scale of the economy in relation to the environment, environmental valuation, measurement, risk, and discounting; intergenerational and interspecies equity; entropy/ thermodynamics; and community-based economics. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5115.

Explores the field of planning in its diverse forms of theory and practice. Focus is on overarching aspects of planning theory and practice and selected themes of significance to planning in the Greater Toronto Area. By permission of OSAS. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5121.

This course introduces students to selected data sources, methods of research and spatial analysis, and public engagement and communication techniques applicable to diverse planning scenarios. Students will learn how to locate publicly available data sets, prepare qualitative and quantitative data for analysis, conduct site investigations, develop community consultation strategies, and communicate planning matters professionally to diverse audiences. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5122.

Youth homelessness is a seemingly intractable problem in Canada. On any given night about 6000 young people experience homelessness, and over a year this number swells to between 35-40,000. To tackle the problem, we must begin by recognizing that youth homelessness is distinct from adult homelessness in terms of it causes and conditions, and therefore so must be the solutions. In this course, we explore the issue of youth hopelessness in Canada, in order to understand the experiences of a marginalized group of young people, how we have responded to the problem, and how we might work differently to have a significant impact on solutions. In particular we will explore the potential role of education and schools in addressing youth homelessness. Crosslisted EDUC 5935. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5135.

Examines the development and implementation of public policies related to the environment and sustainability in a Canadian context. The course focuses on the interaction of institutions, societal forces and ideas in the Canadian environmental policy experience. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5178.

This course is an introduction to environmental philosophy with an emphasis on major ethical traditions including environmental ethics, concepts of Nature, power, the body and animal/human relations. There is a special focus on the ethical dimensions of various religious and spiritual traditions. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5191.

This course examines the political economy of capitalism from a geographical angle. It looks at the spatial and environmental aspects of capitalism employing Marx's 'mature' works as well as more contemporary literature on political economy in geography and cultural studies. Crosslisted GEOG 5375. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 5475.

This course assists students in the transition from MES II to MES III, with emphasis on the design of the substantive and integrative experiences to be undertaken in MES III (including expectations of the Major Project, Major Paper, or Thesis) and the ways that students may demonstrate “mastery” of the subject matter. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6102.

This course assists students in the transition from MES II to MES III, with emphasis on the design of the substantive and integrative experiences to be undertaken in MES III (including expectations of the Major Project, Major Paper, or Thesis) and the ways that students may demonstrate “mastery” of the subject matter.

This course assists students in the transition from MES II to MES III, with emphasis on the design of the substantive and integrative experiences to be undertaken in MES III (including expectations of the Major Project, Major Paper, or Thesis) and the ways that students may demonstrate “mastery” of the subject matter. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6102.

Examines the relationship between sustainable communities and sustainable energy systems. In the context of climate change, environmental, ethical, and social concerns, the course considers the flexibility and adaptability of landscape, communities and city-building processes, and integrated and multi-scalar responses and approaches to policy-making and implementation.

Introduction to planning for urban centres and regions. Emphasis is on the history of urban regional planning thought and practice, key planning models and concepts, the planning process, and plan implementation. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6124.

Explores the evolving nature of community planning and the linkages among planning, housing policy and programs, and planning for the provision of social services and infrastructure in a multicultural society. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6126.

This course focuses on the strategic relationships between land use planning, the environment, economy and transportation planning policies, principles and practices. The course focuses on the interaction of key actors, institutions, policy processes, strategies and techniques relating to transportation planning. Topics include reducing auto dependence, the role of public transit and alternatives modes of transportation in the Canadian transportation planning approach. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6128.

Focus is on planned approaches to identifying and resolving environmental problems encountered in human settlements. Consideration is given to the location, form, pattern and functioning of human communities in relation to the natural environment, as well as to the livability and quality of built environments. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6131.

Examines the role of urban design in creating healthy and equitable urban environments. Social, ecological and economic considerations shaping the urban landscape are studied and provide a basis for a proactive and informed approach to its design. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6132.

Examination of ‘Environmental Education' in the widest sense, including definitions of environmental education, and the history of environmental education, its underlying assumptions, and current practices and constraints in its implementation. Alternative visions of a socially critical model of environmental education are explored.

This course examines the deep cultural dimensions of the ecological crisis and considers the implications for public education. Discussing pre-contact indigenous models of education the course examines education's role in developing mind and landscape. At Black Creek Pioneer Village historic sustainability and contemporary environmental, social and educational malaise will be studied. We conclude envisioning education to create sustainable culture. Crosslisted EDUC 5445. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6141.

Examination of individual and social learning from a critical perspective. Based on a theoretical & practical examination of knowledge production and power relations, several streams of critical education are explored: popular education, critical pedagogy, native education, labour education, feminist pedagogy, queer pedagogy, anti-racist education, global/development education, direct action and activist education. Applied work will focus on the role of these approaches within schools, organizations and movements for social change. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6150.

Critical analysis of theories of 'development' in historical perspective and from both 'Western' and 'Global South' positions. Examination of established theories (liberal, neomarxist), more recent perspectives (participatory development, postmodernism, postcolonialism, decoloniality) and themes (gender, ecology, racialization, Indigeneity, imperialism, cultural politics). This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6156.

Examination of law relating to planning and development, with emphasis on the Canadian context. Topics include land use, real estate, urban and regional planning. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6165.

Planning and politics are considered along a number of dimensions: the ideologies of planning; the role of planning as a selective filter of values and interests in civil society and the local state; planning as a mediator of conflicts between concepts of urban places as ‘economic space' and ‘community space'; planning as the mediating agency of urban growth and decline. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6173.

The application of analytics including optimization, simulation, regression, and time series analysis, to problems in environmental studies such as food systems, political change, emergency response systems, and homeless shelter policy. Solutions will be implemented in spreadsheets and statistical software (Excel and R). This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6182.

Examination of the various phases of carrying out research in the field: planning the research project; choosing appropriate methods for data collection; analyzing data and communicating results of research. Emphasis is on analysis and reporting of questionnaire and qualitative data.

Examination of the various phases of carrying out research in the field: planning the research project; choosing appropriate methods for data collection; analyzing data and communicating results of research. Emphasis is on analysis and reporting of questionnaire and qualitative data. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6183

The Graduate Programs in Politics, Geography and Environmental Studies jointly hold an annual summer school (usually in the month of June or July) where an issue within the field of international political economy and ecology has been explored under the guidance of York faculty members and guest scholars with particular expertise. Students are drawn from our graduate programs, from other Canadian universities and from abroad. This is a seminar course accompanied by a public event. Each session consists of a lecture course and an associated workshop. Successful completion of the summer school will serve as course credits towards a student's MA or PhD program. Previous summer schools have focused on the ecology of post-Fordism, global finance, economic restructuring and the world city. Crosslisted POLS 6282.03 and GEOG 5395.03. Permission by graduate program.

This course introduces students to debates and perspectives on Latin American and Caribbean studies and links theory with practice in the field. Supported by numerous CERLAC Fellows from a range of disciplines, students from different graduate programs and areas of study will collaborate together in teams on applied research projects to work on their own research. This core course will provide an opportunity for deeper student engagement in CERLAC and a strong relationship with the work of the researchers and scholars at the Centre.

Combines active media analysis with the production of images/text around environmental issues. Students critically explore the production process through media observations, readings, and audio-visuals, visits to production sites, and interviews with imagemakers. There are opportunities to develop hands-on skills in photographic or video production. The central learning experience of the workshop involves a media production applying analytical insights, technical skills, and creativity.

This course examines natural disasters from an interdisciplinary point of view, particularly considering why there seem to be more natural disasters, and how and why decisions made by people create vulnerable communities. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6401.

Individual study activities in subject areas not addressed in current Environmental Studies course offerings, devised and carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and arranged to suit the requirements of the student's individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6599 3.0.

Individual study activities in subject areas not addressed in current Environmental Studies course offerings, devised and carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and arranged to suit the requirements of the student’s individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program

Individual study activities in subject areas not addressed in current Environmental Studies course offerings, devised and carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and arranged to suit the requirements of the student's individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 6599O.

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

Approved research toward the submission of Major Paper, Major Project, Portfolio, arranged and conducted under the supervision of a faculty Supervisor. MES students take the course for 0 credit. Only MES/JD students take the course for (transfer) credits (normally 12).

Approved research toward the submission of Major Paper, Major Project, Portfolio, arranged and conducted under the supervision of a faculty Supervisor. MES students take the course for 0 credit. Only MES/JD students take the course for (transfer) credits (normally 12). To change prefix from EU/ENVS to GS/ENVS 7899 6.0.

Approved research toward the submission of Major Paper, Major Project, Portfolio, arranged and conducted under the supervision of a faculty Supervisor. MES students take the course for 0 credit. Only MES/JD students take the course for (transfer) credits (normally 12). To change prefix from EU/ENVS to GS/ENVS 7899 6.0.

This ongoing seminar is designed to assist PhD students in the formulation of their PhD Program Plan, through a comparative examination of research methods and research designs. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 8102.

This course is designed to support PhD students in Environmental Studies as they conceive and develop their PhD dissertation proposals. While it is not a methods course per se, we will discuss, review or workshop particular approaches, methodological issues, and methods based on the interests and needs of those enrolled. Class activities and assignments are directed at students developing, writing (or refining in the case of those with a draft already written) and completing their dissertation proposals and preparing themselves for the dissertation research/writing process. This course was previously offered as EU/ENVS 8103.

Individual research activities in subject areas not addressed in current Environmental Studies course offerings, devised and carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and arranged to suit the requirements of the student's individual PhD Program Plan.