X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Environmental Governance (EGOV)

Interdisciplinary Program

Environmental governance refers to the processes through which societies make decisions that affect the environment. Governments have long been dominant players in this context. However, in Canada and around the world, the ability of governments alone to address environmental problems is being called into question. As a result, contemporary environmental governance increasingly involves citizens, non-government organizations, and businesses.

The interdisciplinary Major in Environmental Governance introduces students to the challenges of environmental governance. Through completing courses from the disciplines of geography, political science, agricultural economics, and economics, students will receive: a solid foundation in the processes and mechanisms of environmental governance in Canada and elsewhere; an understanding of geographical, political, and economic factors that shape governance in Canada and around the world; and exposure to innovative approaches to environmental governance that address persistent and emerging societal concerns. Students completing the major will have the skills and experiences needed to participate effectively in environmental governance in a variety of settings. Hence, they will find careers in the public sector, in environmental non-government organizations, and, increasingly, in the private sector.

Completion of required courses, and careful selection from among optional courses, will facilitate students completing a minor in Geography, Political Science, or Economics. Minors in other programs also may complement the Major in Environmental Governance.

Major (Honours Program)

A minimum of 11.50 credits, consisting of 11.00 credits from the courses specified below, plus 0.50 credits from other 4000 level courses in Geography; Political Science; Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (Agricultural Economics); or Economics:

ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics
EDRD*2650 [0.50] Introduction to Planning and Environmental Law
GEOG*1220 [0.50] Human Impact on the Environment
GEOG*1350 [0.50] Earth: Hazards and Global Change
GEOG*2110 [0.50] Climate and the Biophysical Environment
GEOG*2210 [0.50] Environment and Resources
GEOG*3020 [0.50] Global Environmental Change
GEOG*3210 [0.50] Management of the Biophysical Environment
GEOG*4210 [0.50] Environmental Governance
GEOG*4220 [0.50] Local Environmental Management
GEOG*4230 [0.50] Environmental Impact Assessment
POLS*1400 [0.50] Issues in Canadian Politics
POLS*2250 [0.50] Public Administration and Governance
POLS*2300 [0.50] Canadian Government and Politics
POLS*3210 [0.50] The Constitution and Canadian Federalism
POLS*3370 [0.50] Environmental Politics and Governance
One of:
GEOG*2030 [0.50] Political Ecology & Geography
GEOG*2230 [0.50] Economic Geography
One of:
ECON*2100 [0.50] Economic Growth and Environmental Quality
FARE*2700 [0.50] Survey of Natural Resource Economics
One of:
HIST*2250 [0.50] Environment and History
PHIL*2070 [0.50] Philosophy of the Environment
SOC*3380 [0.50] Society and Nature
One of:
ECON*2740 [0.50] Economic Statistics
GEOG*2460 [0.50] Analysis in Geography
STAT*2040 [0.50] Statistics I
One of:
FARE*3170 [0.50] Cost-Benefit Analysis
POLS*3250 [0.50] Public Policy: Challenges and Prospects
POLS*3270 [0.50] Local Government in Ontario
POLS*3470 [0.50] Business-Government Relations in Canada
POLS*3790 [0.50] The Political Economy of International Relations
One of:
FARE*4290 [0.50] Land Economics
FARE*4310 [0.50] Resource Economics
At least 0.50 additional credits at the 4000 level from Geography; Political Science; Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE); or Economics. Students are advised to contact an Environmental Governance Faculty Advisor for a list of recommended 4000 level courses.
* Note: Courses marked with an asterisk* may require the completion of additional prerequisites not included in the requirements for the Environmental Governance major. Students should consult the most recent Undergraduate Calendar (Chapter XII – Course Descriptions) for specific prerequisites.
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120