Global Studies (GLST) 243
Environmental Change in a Global Context (Revision 1)
Revision 1 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version.
Delivery Mode: Individualized study
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: None.
Precluded Course: GLST 243 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 2 different disciplines— ENVS 243. GLST 243 may not be taken for credit by students who have obtained credit for ENVS 243. As well, students who have obtained credit for GLST/ENVS 253 cannot take either GLST/ENVS 243 for credit.
Centre: Centre for Global and Social Analysis
GLST 243 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
This course is devoted to the study of the interaction between human society and the rest of the ecological world. The course will introduce the methodology needed for that study and will examine such topics as atmospheric change, biodiversity loss, resource use, and agriculture. The course will also explore how societies can move toward sustainable development and moderate their effects on the biosphere. The central questions of this course—how human societies are affecting the biosphere, and how societies’ harmful influences can be moderated—are the questions humanity must ask in order to ensure long-term survival.
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 write the final examination and receive 50 percent and achieve a course composite grade of at least a “D” (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Assign. 1 | Assign. 2 | Assign. 3 | Assign. 4 | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 15% | 20% | 30% | 20% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Motavalli, Jim, (Ed.). (2004). Feeling the Heat: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Climate Change. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-94656-5.
Other Materials
The course materials also include a student manual, study guide, reading file.
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.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the GLST 243 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on both activities.
| 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 1, May 14, 2007.
Last updated by SAS 09/10/2013 11:52:40
