Course Description

A global overview of the changing relationships among society, technology and the environment. This course emphasizes the major stages of human use of resources and the environmental consequences of global changes in production systems. It contrasts Third and First World experiences, focusing on core-periphery relationships.

Note: This course can be taken individually or as a part of a certificate program.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

1. Present an overview of how the Earth’s systems function and how we are affecting these systems (from both a historical and contemporary perspective);
2. Enhance appreciation of environmental problems from a geographic perspective (for example, the consequences of spatial variability in the availability and use of resources);
3. Facilitate oral and verbal written communication of environmental geography  in order to encourage the sort of innovative thinking required to manage human impact; and
4. Understand management challenges and strategies employed to reduce human impact.

Course Topics

• The Historical Context of Human Impact on the Environment
• Natural Physical Systems and their Human Transformation
• Natural Biological Systems and their Human Transformation
• Agriculture and the Transformation of Biophysical Systems
• Environmental Management and Fishery Resources
• Water Resources
• Forest Resources
• Soil and Land Resources
• Energy Resources
• Environmental Ethics and Economics

Assessment

Note:

Additional Technical Requirements

This course will use the following:

• Zoom as a video communication tool.  A Webcam, a microphone to record video, and headphones/speakers to play back the recording are also needed. 

Please view the Technical Considerations.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Certificate in Environmental Citizenship : Electives
• Certificate in Environmental Conservation : Electives