ENSC-801*  |
Methodological and Conceptual Basis for Environmental Studies |
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The course examines methodological and conceptual issues arising from Environmental Studies position as an inter-, multi- and/or trans-disciplinary practice. It will focus on the inherent difficulties in overcoming disciplinary fragmentation in approaches to studying complex issues in environmental sustainability that require integrated understandings of the inter-relations between social and natural systems. The course will promote methodological literacy beyond student's own area of expertise, develop critical and reflexive thinking about how environmental studies might approach issues of sustainability, and encourage and facilitate communication across disciplinary paradigms. The course precedes and compliments ENSC-802, familiarizing students with the historical origins, philosophical underpinnings and practical deployment of key approaches within the social and natural sciences and humanities. Three term-hours; Fall; P. Hodson, M. Smith
Course fee(s):field trip fee of $25.00 (2011-2012).
Prerequisite:permission of instructor
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| ENSC-802* |
Global Environmental Problems: Issues in Sustainability |
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This course focuses on real-world environmental problems analyzing their social, ethical, and biogeochemical origins, economic ramifications, and institutional frameworks for their mitigation and resolution in the context of environmental sustainability. This course would logically follow or run concurrently with ENSC-801*, and will deepen and continue the themes through consideration of the intellectual history of theories and concepts relevant to environmental studies, with a focus on the concepts of “sustainability” and “sustainable development”. Three term-hours; Winter; S. Brown, A. Goebel
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
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| ENSC-816* |
Environmental Chemicals |
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The course will compare and contrast the behaviour of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds, such as methyl mercury and chlorinated aromatic compounds, with the behaviour of less persistent chemicals such as petroleum hydrocarbons and modern pesticides. Subjects of interest may include sediment diagenesis, long-range transport, methylation processes, and interactions between biomagnification and ecosystem structure and productivity. Three term-hours; Fall or Winter. TBA. Consult department for offering 2011-2012.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
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| ENSC-840* |
Directed Studies |
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This course provides an opportunity for students to independently study a selected topic under the supervision of one of more faculty members. This may take the form of a reading course with an assigned paper, but other possible formats would be considered. For detailed information, consult course coordinator. Three term-hours: Fall, Winter or Summer. Course coordinator: L. Winn. TBA.
Prerequisite: permission of course coordinator
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| ENSC-897* |
Seminar in Environmental Studies |
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This half-credit course spans four semesters and requires students to attend a minimum of 30 seminars, chosen from among those offered by the School of Environmental Studies (at least 18) and other units in any faculty at Queen’s. Within the School’s annual seminar series, they must also recruit and host one seminar speaker and present one seminar on their own project. Total contact hours: 30 hours, up to 4-5 semesters; Fall, Winter, Summer. Consult Department for offering in 2011-2012.
Prerequisite: Admission to MES program
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Courses of Instruction 
