For more information on our course offerings, please go to York Course Website.
Calendar Year
Term
Course #
Course Title
2024
S1
eu/envs 5016A
Protected Area Management
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
Instructional Format: FDEX
Instructor(s): G. Fraser
2024
I1
eu/envs 5055A
Climate Justice
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
Instructional Format: FDEX
Instructor(s): P. Perkins
2024
W
eu/envs 5070M
Extraction and its Discontents: A Social History and Political Economy
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Sandberg
2024
I1
eu/envs 5106A
Critical Perspectives on Race, Gender, Sexuality and the Environment
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): J. Haritaworn
2024
C2
gs/envs 5135A
Understanding Youth Homelessness: Its Causes and Conditions, and What We can Do About it
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.
Instructional Format: BLEN
Instructor(s): S. Gaetz
2024
W
eu/envs 5135M
Understanding Youth Homelessness: Its Causes and Conditions, and What We can Do About it
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): S. Gaetz
2024
W
eu/envs 5191M
Environmental Ethics, Rights and the Spiritual Dimension
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): P. Timmerman
2024
F
gs/envs 5475M
Economic Geographies: Capital, Labour and Space
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
W
eu/envs 5475M
Economic Geographies: Capital, Labour and Space
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): R. Das
2024
SU
eu/envs 6102A
MES Research Proposal
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.
Instructional Format: IDS
2024
W
eu/envs 6102M
MES Research Proposal
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.
Instructional Format: IDS
2024
I1
eu/envs 6121A
Community, Energy and Planning
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Brand Correa
2024
W
eu/envs 6124M
Urban-Regional Planning: International and Comparative Perspectives
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
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): Y. Hameed
2024
W
eu/envs 6126M
Community Planning and Housing
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Sotomayor
2024
W
eu/envs 6134M
Critical Urban Theory: Epistemologies and Theories
Examines the critical urban theories and theoretical debates that have informed research questions and political orientations in the field of urban studies since the 1960s. Readings include major texts from feminist, post-structural/colonial and Marxist approaches, and debates over the changing natures of local states, political organizations and justice, generated both in Western and non-Western urban contexts. Students are expected to develop faculties of comparing and critically assessing different theoretical approaches. Crosslisted POLS 6404.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Hae
2024
J2
eu/envs 6140A
Environmental Education
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.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): M. Martin
2024
F
gs/envs 6141A
Education, Sustainability and the Ecological Crisis
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
W
eu/envs 6152M
Indigenous Research, Ethics and Methods
This course looks at current and historical research from Aboriginal and Indigenous (non-western) perspectives, including ethics, epistemologies, methodologies, protocols, and practices. It also examines colonial and 'post' colonial research practices by mainstream researchers, publishers, granting agencies, and ethics review boards.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): M. Yanchapaxi
2024
W
eu/envs 6165M
Land Use Planning Law
Examination of law relating to planning and development, with emphasis on the Canadian context. Topics include land use, real estate, urban and regional planning.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): O. Tamir
2024
W
eu/envs 6173M
Politics and Planning
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): R. Keil
2024
W
eu/envs 6182M
Environmental Analytics: Data, Models and Methods
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).
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Brand Correa
2024
I1
eu/envs 6183A
Qualitative Research Methods
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.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): P. Perkins
2024
SU
eu/envs 6275A
International Political Economy and Ecology Summer School
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
2024
S1
eu/envs 6300A
Convergences, Disparities, and Fault lines: Research in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
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.
Instructional Format: BLEN
Instructor(s): T. Samuels-Jones
2024
W
eu/envs 6330M
Environmental Planning Workshop
The workshop examines the context and debates surrounding the environmental future of the Greater Toronto Area in which we live, work, study, and play. The purpose is to allow students an opportunity to observe, critically analyse, and develop environmental plans within an applied setting.
Instructional Format: WKSP
Instructor(s): J. Kilbourn
2024
J2
eu/envs 6349A
Cultural Production Workshop: Image
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.
Instructional Format: WKSP
Instructor(s): A. Gosine
2024
F
gs/envs 6401A
Disasters: Concepts and Causes
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.
Instructional Format: LECT
2024
W
eu/envs 6401M
Disasters: Concepts and Causes
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.
Instructional Format: ONLN
Instructor(s): M. Sipos
2024
SU
eu/envs 6599A
Individual Directed Study
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 students individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program
Instructional Format: IDS
2024
W
eu/envs 6599M
Individual Directed Study
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 students individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program
Instructional Format: IDS
2024
L2, SU
eu/envs 6699A
Experiential Learning
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 students individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program
Instructional Format: FDEX
2024
L2
eu/envs 6699B
Experiential Learning
TBA
Instructional Format: FDEX
2024
W
eu/envs 6699M
Experiential Learning
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 students individual Plan of Study. Normally intended for students at the MES II level. Maximum 18 credits per program
Instructional Format: FDEX
2024
SU
eu/envs 7899A
MES Major Research
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).
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
W
eu/envs 7899M
MES Major Research
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).
Instructional Format: ISTY
2024
W
eu/envs 7999M
MES Thesis Research
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).
Instructional Format: SEMR, THES
2024
W
eu/envs 8103M
PhD Research Design Workshop
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Gilbert
2024
SU
eu/envs 8599A
Individual PhD Research
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.
Instructional Format: IDS
2024
W
eu/envs 8599M
Individual PhD Research
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.
The Graduate Program in Environmental Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.