For more information on our course offerings, please go to York Course Website.
Calendar Year
Term
Course #
Course Title
2023
F
eu/envs 5023A
Global Cities
An introduction to the literature on global cities and a systematic review of a distinct field of research in urban studies which concerns itself with the globalization of a network of global or world cities. Course credit exclusion: GS/GEOG 5580 3.00.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): R. Keil
2023
F
eu/envs 5050A
Fundamentals of Renewable Energy: Theory, Policy and Practice
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
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
2023
F
eu/envs 5100A
Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Studies
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): P. Perkins
2023
F
eu/envs 5112A
Ecology In Environmental Studies
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): G. Thiemann
2023
F
eu/envs 5115A
Ecological Economics
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): E. Miller
2023
F
eu/envs 5121A
Perspectives in Planning
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Taylor
2023
F
eu/envs 5178A
Environmental Policy: Institutions, Ideas and Interests
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): M. Winfield
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
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
2023
F
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
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
2023
F
eu/envs 6128A
Transportation Policy and Planning
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): M. Gebresselassie
2023
F
eu/envs 6131A
Environmental Planning
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): L. Sandberg
2023
F
eu/envs 6132A
Urban Environmental Design
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): J. Foster
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
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
2023
F
eu/envs 6184A
Participatory Research Methods
This course is intended to acquaint students with participatory research, its theoretical underpinnings and guiding principles, as well as some of its challenges and limitations. Students have the opportunity to apply participatory research theory, principles, and skills through assignments and in the community.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): S. Taylor
2023
F
eu/envs 6186A
Environmental Assessment
The purpose of this course is to provide a critical overview of the theory, practice and key issues pertaining to environmental assessment. Emphasis will be placed on the Canadian context. The objectives include: a) gaining familiarity with the fundamentals of environmental assessment; b) exploring issues pertaining to the practice of environmental assessment; c) exploring substantive issues that may be addressed through environmental assessment; and d) briefly exploring methods and techniques of environmental assessment.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): P. Mulvihill
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
2023
F
eu/envs 6331A
Planning in Toronto Workshop
This project-based course examines current planning and development practices in Toronto. Students learn about complex problems that planners typically need to resolve when dealing with significant development projects in major North American cities.
Instructional Format: WKSP
Instructor(s): C. Furtado
2023
F
eu/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.
Instructional Format: LECT
Instructor(s): S. Ali
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
2023
F
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
2023
F
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
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
2023
F
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
2023
F
eu/envs 7999A
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: THES
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: THES
2023
F
eu/envs 8102A
Ph.D Research Seminar
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.
Instructional Format: SEMR
Instructor(s): C. Sandilands
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
2023
F
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.