2002-2003 Calendar

Table of Contents

Faculty of Arts

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Environmental Studies

Faculty of Fine Arts

Faculty of Pure and Applied Science

Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies

Osgoode Hall Law School

Schulich School of Business

Courses of Instruction

Glendon College

The Bachelor in Environmental Studies

The Faculty of Environmental Studies offers both the BES Specialized Honours program (120 credits) and the BES program (90 credits).

The Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) provides a unique educational experience in an expanding field of study and research. Defined broadly from an interdisciplinary perspective, environmental studies at FES is a combination of core courses and four distinct academic and professional Theme Areas: nature, technology and society; environmental policy and action; global development, peace and justice; and human settlements. A coherent set of core, foundations and elective courses provides a well-rounded education in various fields relating to the natural, built, organizational and social environments. FES faculty members come from a wide range of backgrounds, including political science, ecology, planning, philosophy, sociology, geography, economics, education, architecture and anthropology. All share a commitment to exploring the complex questions and solutions of the human and environmental challenges facing the world.

In the first two years of the program, students take required courses that introduce them to the wide range of environmental studies while building critical, analytical and writing skills. In the second year of the Honours program, students choose a theme area, which will define their focus. In the final year(s) of the program, there is only one required course per term, and the remainder of the courses are electives chosen from either within FES or from other faculties at York. These electives are chosen in consultation with the undergraduate program adviser, and are based on each student's program plan. This plan, which is updated each year, ensures that students meet the degree requirements, and that they have the opportunity to pursue individual interests and goals related to their area of interest.

Students pursuing the 90-credit bachelor in environmental studies are not required to declare a theme concentration. Course selection will be determined through the advising and program plan processes.

Please note that the Faculty of Environmental Studies is currently in a process of curriculum re-development of the BES program, scheduled for implementation in September 2003. For further information regarding the current program or proposed changes, please contact the Undergraduate Program Director, Professor Roger Keil.

What the BES program offers:

• interdisciplinary expertise to understand and solve environmental problems;
• opportunities to develop specific skills and in-depth learning;
• a wide range of courses covering the humanities, social sciences and environmental science;
• an outlook that includes local and global, philosophical and applied questions;
• an emphasis on bringing theoretical and practical matters together in the classroom;
• the knowledge and skills needed for environmental careers and graduate studies;
• an atmosphere in which students know that their learning matters.