38 courses in the 1991–92 Undergraduate Calendar, read from the scanned original. The text comes from OCR, so check the scanned page before relying on a detail.
ERS 100Issue Analysis and Problem Solving for Environmental Studies 1F 2C,1T 0.5
Designed to complement the introductory overview of ENV S 195 and the introduction to methods and techniques (ERS 150). Selected themes and case examples are analyzed within a framework of concepts and theories from the natural and social sciences. Students undertake practical exercises to develop analytic and problem-solving skills.
Prereq: Environment and Resource Studies students only
ERS 150Environmental Issues: Methods and TechniquesF 3C 0.5
Course will teach basic research skills to complement the problem-solving skills taught in ERS 100/101. Concentration on the “systems approach” and its use in problem soiving, with attention to information gathering and organization, quantitative data analysis techniques, and presentation skills. Microcomputers will be used for report generation, information organization and basic data analysis.
Prereq: Environment and Resource Studies students only
ERS 218Introduction to Sustainable Environmental and Resource SystemsF 3C 0.5
Examination of patterns and trends in major environmental systems and natural resource use. Analysis of these resources in the context of sustainable development. Local, regional and global systems will be examined.
ERS 231Environmental Issues in a Global PerspectiveF 2C 0.5
This course examines the various political, economic and social factors in development and environmental concerns in various Third World countries. Special focus is on health-care systems, agricultural and forestry practices and policies, water management and resource ownership. Students are encouraged to study one country in some depth, and to submit seminars and projects.
ERS 241Introduction to Environmental and Social impact AssessmentW 3C 0.5
An introduction to means of assessing proposed approaches to environmentally and socially significant problems and opportunities. Special emphasis on the nature and limitations of conventional means of assessing the impacts, and overall desirability of technologies, projects, plans and policies. Close examination of case examples. Prereq: At least second-year standing
Background reading and study in consultation with Faculty. Typically utilized when a student must study a topic in connection with other work, but no course offering that topic is available.
Prereq: Consent of instructor
The letter designation allows this course to be taken more than once for credit
Analysis of selected environmental issues or programs with particular emphasis on applied problem-solving/ management perspectives. Field trips to chosen sites will be conducted to gather information for analysis. Key organizations/people will be involved in field trips and discussions.
Individual or small group project emphasizing multidisciplinary treatment of environmental probiems. Work encouraged on situations of interest to community organizations, government agencies or other groups.
Prereq: Students with second-year standing in Environment and Resource Studies
ERS 295Development of Environmental Thought 1F 2C,1S 0.5
Examination of conflicting positions on how we do and should view the natural world and ourselves, beginning with review of the history of attitudes to the environment and our place in it. Emphasis on evolution of attitudes to human nature and the environment in industrial sociaty, critiques of these attitudes and implications for approaches to modern environmental issues. Prereq: Environment and Resource Studies students only with at least second-year standing or consent of instructor
Course Descriptions Environment and Resource Studies
ERS 305Ecosystem Perspectives and AnalysesW 2C,1T 0.5
Examination of the concept of the “ecosystem” presented in recent writings about non-equilibrium thermodynamics, ecological paradigms, conservation biology and environmental philosophy. Discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of these contrasting perspectives for issues of research/environmental management and sustainable development.
Prereq: ENV S 200, at least thirdyear standing, or consent of instructor
ERS 318Case Studies in Sustainabie Environmental and Resource SystemsW 3C 0.5
Detailed analysis of selected environmental systems and resource use activities. Particular attention will be given to opportunities for sustainable development and issues in implementation. Case studies will be drawn from local, regional and international experiences. Prereq: Third-year standing and ERS 218 or consent of instructor
Major problems and issues in the management of environmental impacts stemming from development projects. Synthesis of ecological, economic and institutional aspects. Integrating environmental management with social and economic development policies and programs.
Introduction to the background, theory and methodology of social impact assessment (SIA). SIA as a type of - social science research and as a key element in achieving more informed and responsible decision-making in society. Experience in SIA design for environmentally-relevant cases.
ERS 352Current issues in the Canadian North2C,1T 0.5
Introduction to contemporary environmental, social, economic and political issues in Canada's North, principally Yukon, Northwest Territories and Northern Quebec and Labrador. Lectures and tutorials will discuss homeland and frontier perspectives, economic development and environmental conservation, the northern economies, native land claims and political development.
ERS 361International Communication System and DevelopmentW 3C 0.5
Information and ideas constitute the most basic resource of a people. This course will explore the role of various mass media, newspapers, We cinema, magazines, radio, travellers, in the process of development. What is the nature of mass education in a developing society? How do the media hinder or contribute to social change? These and many related questions will be explored in the context of a number of different societies.
Prereq: At least second-year standing or consent of instructor
ERS 385Technology/Lifestyles fora Conserver Society What is a Conserver Society? WhatF 3C,1S 0.5
must we do to make our society into a Conserver Society? How do we evaluate the appropriateness of a lifestyle. or technology for a Conserver Society? Is a Conserver Society realistic? This course will explore these questions, with emphasis on student participation in discussion and in seminar presentations. Lectures will focus on the basics of various technologies and lifestyles, and on quantitative techniques for comparing these.
Individual or small group project emphasizing multidisciplinary treatment of environmental problems. Work encouraged on situations of interest to community organizations, government agencies or other groups.
Prereq: Students with third-year standing in Environment and Resource Studies
ERS 396Development of Environmental Thought 2W 2C,1S 0.5
Examination of twentieth century concerns about industrial progress and ' treatment of people and the environment. Focus on problems and promises of efforts to dominate nature through scientific and technological advance; alternative views on the nature of scientific knowledge and human well-being, and the rise of modern environmentalism. Assessment of alternative futures. Prereq: ERS 295 and third-year standing or consent of instructor
Course Descriptions Environment and Resource Studies
Provides practice in applying skills that are useful to people working in different kinds of organizations. Readings, discussions and exercises emphasize: problem perceptions and diagnoses, actor system analyses, and planning, management and evaluation activities as these are carried out by and within organizations. Special attention given to roles that persons having an environmental studies-background may be particularly well prepared to develop and refine.
Prereq: Fourth-year Environment and Resource Studies students only or consent of instructor
ERS 418Seminar on Strategies for Sustainable DevelopmentF 3C 0.5
Using selected environmental systems and resource use activities the course will analyse selected policy, planning and implementation strategies for sustainable development. The analysis will include consideration of organizational and institutional arrangements. Various approaches reflecting local, regional and international experiences will be compared and contrasted. Prereq: Fourth-year standing and ERS 318 or consent of instructor
ERS 445Impact Assessment and Policy Analysis: PracticumW 3C 0.5
Students will draw on knowledge and experience gained in the prerequisite theme courses to critique and/or design impact analyses of a variety of “realworld” activities, including policy initiatives, technological choices, environmentally-relevant proposals, economic strategies and others of special interest or significance. Prereq: ERS 241, 337 and 338, or consent of instructor
A project of sufficient scope to demon- Strate mastery of problem-solving and communication skills on a selected problem or issue concerning human interrelationships with the environment. Credit weights for 490, 491 and 492 vary depending on the amount of work involved and the depth of the subject matter. Study beyond the 490 level requires faculty approval.
Prereq: Students with fourth-year standing in Environment and Resource Studies only