Overview
ENVS 200 introduces students to the field of environmental studies and provides them with basic information about a variety of environmental issues, concepts, debates, events, and actors or thinkers. This survey course presents an overview of key concepts related to environmental analysis, such as resilience, carrying capacity, and environmental justice, as well as a range of topics related to contemporary environmental issues such as water, biodiversity, and ecological design. In particular, the course explores the principles of sustainable development and sustainability. Students are introduced to some of the complexity and debate regarding these concepts and are required to critically engage in applying the concepts. In this course, students are also introduced to critical interdisciplinary analysis and social innovation, and provided opportunities to develop and refine their skills in these areas.
Evaluation
To receive credit for ENVS 200, you must write the final examination and achieve a course composite grade of at least a D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Personal Reflection on Nature and Humanity | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Summary and Analysis of an Environmental Issue | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Decoding Visual Media—Representations of Nature in Popular Culture | 15% |
| Assignment 4: Profiling a Social Innovation (Part A: Framing the Issue) | 15% |
| Assignment 4: Profiling a Social Innovation (Part B: Detailing the Innovation) | 15% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Draper, D., & Zimmerman, A. (2017). Our environment: A Canadian perspective (5th ed.). Toronto, ON: Top Hat Monocle.
Other Resources
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ENVS 200 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment | 60% |
| Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form