Courses

Exploring the interconnected nature of political, social, and economic systems as they relate to natural resources. The course will focus on recent developments in forest governance and the issues that they raise in terms of rights to resources, sustainability, and economic performance. The numerous international initiatives to develop better forest governance models will be debated and their merits assessed. The concept of linked social-ecological systems will be examined. Students will undertake assignments on significant issues and publications and present them to the class.

Design and implementation of site-level plans that integrate ecological, social, and economic components: silviculture, forest operations, and forest health.

Taking into account the contribution of forests and other systems, this course will be underpinned by an integrated landscape approach to natural resources planning and will pay close reference to global policy processes such as the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). This approach represents a broad systems framework that can integrate agriculture, the natural environment, different livelihood systems, and social interactions towards a global sustainable development strategy.

Concepts and applications of statistical methods for common questions in the ecology, conservation, and monitoring of animal populations.

Theory and evolution of adaptation at different scales in organizations and resource management systems, utilizing existing case studies, examining opportunities and barriers to adaptation, considering strategies and practices to manage climate impacts and risks.

Current concepts and skills in ecological modelling and spatial analysis.

Capturing spatial data and the use of remote sensing systems to map, monitor and better manage forest, vegetation and ecosystem resources. [2-2-0].

Understanding geo-spatial data structures, databases and developing, maintaining and utilizing geo-spatial data.

Human geography of the modern world with particular attention to human-environment relationships, urbanization, and regional growth; trade and communications; environment and war; environmental governance and sustainability.

Science, impacts, and parallel crises of the climate emergency; decarbonization challenge and measuring progress towards emission targets; strategies and tools for climate action at local, national, and global levels. Credit will only be granted for one of GEOG 202 or ENST 202. Recommended: Second-year standing. Equivalency: ENST 202

An interdisciplinary introduction to the city in the context of contemporary globalization. Analysis of urban patterns and processes from the theoretical perspectives of various disciplines and methodologies. Credit will be granted for only one of GEOG_V 250 or URST_V 200. Equivalency: URST_V 200.

Concepts and debates in the interdisciplinary field and practice of climate justice; the role of systemic processes and patterns underlying climate change and climate injustices. Credit will only be granted for one of GEOG 302 or ENST 302. Recommended: Second-year standing. Equivalency: ENST 302

The impact of urban development on the natural environment and vice versa. Study of the ecology and metabolism of cities and green urban design, using global and local case studies. Credit will be granted for only one of GEOG 311 or ENST 311. Equivalency: ENST311

Economic, social, political and cultural structures and institutions that shape contemporary socioecological challenges. Credit will be granted for only one of GEOG_V 313 or ENST_V 313. Recommended pre-requisite: GEOG_V 121. Equivalency: ENST_V 313

The role of geophysical events, human ecology, environmental perception, world social and political order in explaining the risk of natural disasters. Assessment of acceptable risk, disaster relief and reconstruction and contrasts between developed and developing nations. Credit will only be granted for one of GEOG 316 or ENST 316. Recommended pre-requisites: one of GEOB 102, GEOS 102 and one of GEOB 103, GEOS 103. Equivalency: ENST 316

The principles, implementation, and role of environmental impact assessment in environmental management, in Canada and internationally. Credit will be granted for only one of GEOG 319 or ENST 319. Equivalency: ENST319

The construction of Canadian political space after Confederation, aboriginal-newcomer relations, regional development and conflict, industrialization, urbanization, and war.

City systems and theories of urban location; internal spatial structure of the city; commercial and industrial location; social areas; neighbourhood and land use change; urban trends and public policy.

The role of cities in development and global capital circulation, and urban politics with emphasis on regions in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Credit will be granted for only one of GEOG 352 or URST 352. Equivalency: URST 352

Geographical approaches to economic development; models of economic development and spatial change; influences on spatial economic change; case studies from the developed, third, and socialist worlds.

Socio-ecologies in 1491; Spanish colonialism and biological imperialism; contemporary coloniality and neoliberalism; and social movements.

Geographical analysis of society-environment relations. Relates resource management to environmental politics, political economy, and sustainable development. Perspectives drawn from political ecology and political economy, environmental history and environmental philosophy. Registration is restricted to Geography Majors and Minors or permission of instructor. Recommended: GEOG 310. Credit will only be granted for one of GEOG 410 or ENST 410. Equivalency: ENST 410

Interdisciplinary analysis of critical water issues, in Canada and internationally. Focus on social science perspectives. Emphasis on presentation, research, and essay-writing skills. Credit will only be granted for one of GEOG_V 412 or ENST_V 412. Prerequisite: GEOG_V 310. Equivalency: ENST_V 412.

An introductory survey of contemporary feminist approaches to human geography.