BRANDON UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

38:192
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
COURSE OUTLINE

Instructor: Dr. C. D. Malcolm

Office: Brodie Building 4-05
Phone: 727-9770 email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Mon., Wed., & Fri. 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in person or by Zoom (link on Moodle site), or
by appointment
Lectures: BB Theatre B, Mon., Wed. & Fri. @ 10:40 AM to 11:30 PM (Slot 3)

Summary

Environment and Society is a required, introductory core course for Geography (BA & BSc) and
Environmental Science (BSES) degrees. Interested students can also use the course for the
Environmental Studies Concentration in Geography. This course is an introduction to the relationship
between humans and the biophysical world in which we live. Traditionally, this relationship has involved
humans using different portions of the natural environment to benefit society. Often these uses are
detrimental to the environment. During lectures and through your readings you will learn about the
ways in which humans impact environmental processes and approaches towards minimizing them.
In order to understand the nature of environmental impacts we must first understand the workings of
the environment itself. This is called ecological literacy. The first part of the course is therefore focused
on aspects such as energy flow, ecosystem structure, matter cycling and biodiversity.
In the second half of the course, we will discuss specific aspects of natural resource management such
as ecological approach, adaptive management, climate change, endangered species, protected areas,
forestry, and fisheries. Ecological literacy is essential for effective natural resource management.
Course material comes from lectures and text readings. You will be tested on this material through three
mid-term tests and a final exam. I will place some practice questions for each chapter in the Mid-term
Tests and Final Exam sections on this Moodle site.
One of the most important skills you need to navigate complicated environmental and resource
management issues is the ability to think critically. We will spend some class time discussing media
coverage of environmental topics to practice. There will be a critical thinking question on each test and
the final exam. There is also an assignment that asks you to view a video and then tell me what you
think about the issues and provide me with a short idea of what you think should be done. You can find
instructions for the assignment below and on the course Moodle site.
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Lectures

During lectures we will discuss issues surrounding the environment and human societies. As this is a
first-year course the lectures contain a lot of information.
Although we will closely follow the textbook chapters assigned, the lectures do not simply repeat the
readings in the text - you are encouraged to attend all lectures. If you miss a lecture, it is your
responsibility to get notes from a classmate. I do not have class notes available for students.
Lecture slides are available on the Moodle website. However, they are often missing key terms that you
will need to fill in should you choose to use them.
There is a lecture and reading schedule below that lists the topics we will cover in lecture.
Each week we will discuss a media article that covers an environmental issue. This will help us practice
thinking critically. The article links will be posted on the course Moodle site. Please read the article in
order to be prepared for discussion.
Please RESPECT your fellow students and instructor: SILENCE cell phones, DO NOT PLAY on your cell
phone or laptop, and REFRAIN FROM TALKING during lecture.
Please try not to arrive late. If you do, please sit as close to the side and back as possible. Please
choose a similar location if you will have to leave early.

Text

The text for this course is Environmental Change and Challenge: A Canadian Perspective, 6th edition, by
Philip Dearden, Bruce Mitchell, and Erin O’Connell. This is an excellent text, written for Canadian
students by two preeminent resource management scholars in Canada. The text is available at the
bookstore. There are also two copies on 2-hour loan at the Reserve desk in the Library.
Students should have the 6th edition as it includes a new chapter, new material and updated
information from previous editions.
On the schedule below is a list of text readings that tells you which chapters you should be reading with
respect to the lectures. Please refer to it and keep up with your reading.
Although most of what we discuss in class is also covered in the text, the text provides additional
material that you are responsible to know for the mid-term tests, and final exam. I will periodically ask
you to look at material in the text that I do not cover in lecture.
Here's the cardinal rule regarding text reading: Everything I cover in lecture PLUS any sections in the
textbook I ask you to read during lecture is fair game for the tests and final exam. If I do not cover the
material in lecture or specifically ask you to read a particular passage or box in the text, you can
ignore it.

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Critical Thinking Assignment (15%)

Due Friday, December 2 @ 11:59 PM

In this assignment, you will choose THREE (3) of the short news articles available on the course
Moodle site and write a paragraph about each. Each paragraph should be between 200 to 250
words. In each paragraph you must include:
1. Your OPINION of the issue discussed.
2. Reason(s) WHY you think so.
3. WHAT you think should be done.
4. Include EXAMPLES from the article that back up your reasoning for #2 and #3.
Submit your assignment as an MS Word document through Moodle, using the Assignment
Submission link. Please title your document "LastNameFirstInitial192" e.g. MalcolmC192.

Mid-term Tests (16.7% x 3 = 50%)

There are three (3) mid-term tests during the course. The tests primarily test your understanding of
fundamental concepts.
The mid-term tests will consist of multiple choice/true or false, fill-in-the-blank/definition, and short
answer questions, including a critical thinking question. You may have to answer a series of questions
about a specific figure covered in lecture, or provide examples referring to a specific concept covered in
lecture.
The mid-term tests are on September 30, October 28, and November 25.
Final Exam (35%)
The final exam is cumulative, meaning it will cover material from the entire term.
The final exam will test on material following the third mid-term and important concepts learned during
the entire term.
The final exam will also be the same format as the mid-terms.
The final exam will be held on Tuesday, December 13 @ 9:00 AM, Location TBA
NOTE:
There will be NO early or late mid-term or final exams written, except in EXCEPTIONAL cases,
which REQUIRE a note from a medical doctor, counselor, or BU sports team coach (which provides the
dates of road trips).
YOU NOW KNOW THE DATES FOR THE MID TERMS AND FINAL EXAM!!! PLAN YOUR LIFE
ACCORDINGLY!!!
It is your responsibility to make sure you are present at the appointed mid-term test and exam times.

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Grading and Dates Summary

Grading Item Individual Values Date

Mid-term Tests 3 x 16.7%=50% Sept. 30, Oct. 28, Nov. 25
Assignment 15% Dec. 2
Final Exam 35% Dec. 13
Term Total 100%

Academic Conduct

The Brandon University Academic Integrity Policy underlines the importance of all members of the BU
community respecting and upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect,
responsibility, and courage (ICAI, 2014) in every academic activity. Students are responsible for ensuring
they understand and adhere to these values. Activities that depart from these values include, but are not
limited to, the following: plagiarism, cheating, academic interference, falsification, and aiding others to
depart from academic integrity. Students found responsible for having departed from academic integrity
will be subject to remedies and/or sanctions. Depending on the scope and impact of the departure as well
as the student’s level of study and past academic integrity history, remedies and sanctions range from
mandated educational activities through failure on an assignment/failure in the course to expulsion from
the University and revocation of credentials/degrees granted. All departures from academic integrity will
be recorded in the BU Academic Integrity Repository, and certain sanctions will result in a notation on the
student’s transcript. The full Academic Integrity Policy, including definitions of academic integrity’s
fundamental values, examples of activities that depart from academic integrity, and processes undertaken
in cases of suspected departures from academic integrity, is available at www.brandonu.ca/senate-
office/senate-policies. Please also refer to Section 3.14 in the 2022-23 Brandon University Calendar for
more information.

Grade Allocation

The following grade allocation is used at Brandon University. Please refer to Section 3.12.3 in the 2022-
23 Brandon University Calendar for more information.

Final Mark (%) Grade Grade Points Final Mark (%) Grade Grade Points
90 – 100 A+ 4.3 67 - 69 C+ 2.3
85 - 89 A 4.0 63 - 66 C 2.0
80 - 84 A- 3.7 60 - 62 C- 1.7
77 - 79 B+ 3.3 50 - 59 D 1.0
73 - 76 B 3.0 0 - 49 F 0
70 - 72 B- 2.7

Accessibility Services
Brandon University values diversity and inclusion, recognizing disability as an aspect of diversity. Our
shared goal is to create learning environments that are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all
students. Student Accessibility (SAS) supports students by developing an individualized plan of
accommodation, helping students understand their learning needs, and assisting faculty with provision

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of accommodations for students. Should you anticipate or experience disability-related barriers,

including permanent, chronic, or temporary disabilities/or medical conditions, you are invited to contact
the Student Accessibility Coordinator ([email protected]) or complete a Student Information
form to request a confidential discussion with the SAS Coordinator. If you already have established
accommodations with SAS, please contact SAS early in the term to discuss the accommodations outlined
in your letter of accommodation. Additional information is available on the Student Accessibility
Services website: https://www.brandonu.ca/student-services/student-accessibility-services/

Mental Health and Wellness

Personal Counsellors at Brandon University are dedicated to providing support to students’ wellness,
primarily their mental well-being, through prevention activities, early identification and timely
interventions using a holistic lens. Please contact the Personal Counsellors in the Student Services
Department by calling 204-727-9737 or emailing [email protected] to make an appointment. There
are crisis counselling appointments available daily.

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Lecture / Reading Schedule1

Dates Lecture Title Text Readings Tests & Assignment Dates

Week 1 Introduction to course, Moodle page and
Sept 7 - 9 opportunity to ask questions (Sept. 7)
Visit by Student Services and Co-op Coordinator
(Sept 9)
Week 2 Environment, Resources, and Society Chapters 1 & 2
Sept. 12 - 16 Responding to Global Environmental Change
Week 3 Responding to Global Environmental Change Chapters 2 & 3
Sept. 19 - 23 (con't)
Energy Flow and Ecological Systems
Week 4 - Test #1 Energy Flow and Ecological Systems (con't) Chapters 3 & 4 Test #1 Fri., Sept. 30 on
Sept 26 - 30 Ecosystems are Dynamic Chapters 1,2,3
Week 5 Ecosystems are Dynamic (con't) Chapters 4 & 5
Oct. 3 - 7 Ecosystems & Matter Cycling
Week 6
Oct 10 -
Thanksgiving

Oct 12 -14 Planning and Management Perspectives Chapter 6

Week 7 Planning and Management: Processes and Chapter 7 Lectures are recorded and
Oct 17 - 21 Methods available on the Moodle site
this week!
Week 8 - Test #2 Climate Change Chapter 8 Test #2 Fri., Oct. 28 on
Oct 24 - 28 Chapters 4,5,6,7

Week 9 Oceans & Fisheries Chapter 9

Oct 31 - Nov 4
Week 10 Nov 7 lecture will be online.
Nov 7 Finish up Oceans and Fisheries (ONLINE) Please find the ZOOM link on
the Moodle site in the
Nov 9 -11 Fall Reading Break - NO LECTURES LECTURES section
Week 11 Agriculture Chapter 11
Nov 14 - 18
Week 12 - Test #3 Minerals and Energy Chapter 13 Test #3 Fri. Nov. 25 on
Nov 21 - 25 Chapters 8, 9, 11
Week 13 Endangered Species and Protected Areas Chapter 15 Critical Thinking Assignment
Nov 28 - Dec 2 due Friday, Dec. 2
Week 14 Dec 5 - Final lecture likely finishing Chap 15.
Dec 5 & 6 Dec 6 - Tips for final exam studying
Dec. 13, 9:00 AM Final Exam, HLC Henry Champ Gym Final Exam on entire term

1We will try to cover all the material in this schedule. If there are any changes, you will know in advance of any tests or the
final exam.