Environmental Studies (ENVS) 243

Environmental Change in a Global Context (Revision 3)

ENVS 243

Revision 3 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version

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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online

Credits: 3

Area of Study: Social Science

Prerequisite: None

Precluded Course: ENVS 243 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 2 different disciplines— GLST 243. ENVS 243 may not be taken for credit by students who have obtained credit for GLST 243. As well, students who have obtained credit for ENVS/GLST 253 cannot take ENVS/GLST 243 for credit.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Centre: Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies

Environmental Studies home page

ENVS 243 has a Challenge for Credit option.

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Overview

This course is devoted to the study of the interactions between human society and the rest of the ecological world. The course introduces the methodology needed for that study and examines topics such as atmospheric change, biodiversity loss, resource use, and agriculture. The course also explores how societies can move toward sustainable development and moderate their effects on the biosphere.

Outline

  • Unit 1: Studying Global Climate Change
  • Unit 2: The Earth's Atmosphere
  • Unit 3: The Ozone Story
  • Unit 4: Greenhouse Gases and Global Climate Change
  • Unit 5: Biodiversity Loss
  • Unit 6: Energy Production and Climate Change
  • Unit 7: Agriculture and Global Environmental Change
  • Unit 8: Respecting Ecological Limits
  • Unit 9: Sustainable Development

Evaluation

To receive credit for this course, students must complete four assignments and write the final closed book examination. They must receive 50% on the final exam and achieve a course composite grade of at least a “D” (50%). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Assignment 3 Assignment 4a Proposal Assignment 4b Essay Final Exam Total
15% 15% 20% 5% 25% 20% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Suzuki, David, & Dressel, Holly. (2010). More good news: Real solutions to the global eco-crisis. Vancouver: David Suzuki Foundation/Greystone Books. (eText)

Other Materials

All other course materials are available online.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the ENVS 243 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the exam, and an overall grade of at least “D” (50 percent).

Assignment Exam Total
35% 65% 100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

Opened in Revision 3, April 7, 2017.

View previous syllabus