TRN140Y1: Ethics, Humans & Nature
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to ethical issues arising from the way humans interact with nature. Students will study some theoretical approaches for evaluating how human society affects the planet, ecosystems and other animals. Theories will be drawn from philosophy, theology and ecology, and will include Western and non-Western approaches to living in harmony with one’s environment. Key themes may include speciesism – the idea that human needs are the most important – as well as overpopulation, extinction, vegetarianism and responsible resource management. The course will also look at how social policy shapes human choices and whether sustainability initiatives should be pursued through the public or private sector. The course will also discuss the spiritual connection between humans and the environment and how society can be organized to promote access to nature in urban communities.
Breadth Requirement: 0.5 FCE 2) Thought, Belief and Behaviour + 0.5 FCE 3) Society and Its Institutions
HOW WILL I BE EVALUATED?
- Mock Debate
- Reflections
- Book Report
- Reading Discussions
- Presentation
- Participation
Note: assignments can vary from year to year
WHAT SKILLS CAN I GAIN FROM THIS COURSE?
- Analyzing readings and curating your perspectives on varying topics
- A broad understanding of a human relationship with nature
- Reading academic research papers
- Writing technical papers and reports
- Interpersonal skills
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TRN140Y1 COURSE INSTRUCTOR
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Dr. Emily Gilbert Assistant Dean, Residence Life Email: em.gilbert@mail.utoronto.ca Emily-Camille Gilbert completed her Ph.D. in environment and anthropology at the University of Toronto. Her ethnographic research examines the social, spatial, and ecological experiences of living through Toronto’s Regent Park Revitalization. She is teaching TRN 140, Ethics, Humans, Nature: Pathways to Sustainability, where she will bring experiential learning and arts-based pedagogy to the classroom. She has taught introductory and upper-year courses in the Department of Anthropology and the School of the Environment at the University of Toronto and in the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of Sophia-Antipolis in Nice, France. She has the privilege of serving Trinity as the Assistant Dean of Students, Residence Life, and of serving on the Senate Committee. She is deeply committed to student success both inside and outside of the classroom. |
