Courses

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.

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.

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.

Provides a basic overview of the main perspectives on, and issues related to, green enterprise. Key concerns include eco-production in food, energy & manufacturing; regenerative finance; sustainability indicators; green market creation; eco-regulation; and strategic priorities for big and small businesses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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).

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.