UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (ST. GEORGE) COURSES:
ENV261 - Is the Internet Green?
We are in uncharted territory. Many of us were and may still be at home over the past year where we connect with our friends, family, school, work and the world through Internet and Communication Technologies (ICT). It is almost impossible to consider how society would cope with the current COVID-19 pandemic without ICT. And even before the pandemic, ICT was so deeply embedded in our day-to-day lives that its absence caused great stress. This incredible dependence on ICT has happened during the past ~30 years – a very short time for such profound changes to have taken place.
Although we are very familiar with and use ICT extensively, few of us understand the hardware and software that keeps ICT functioning, and importantly, the growing control and commodification of our ICT actions. Further, words such as “cloud computing” and “cyberspace” give ICT an ethereal sense – that ICT has few physical structures. That is not the case! ICT, and all its offshoots, very much have a physical “materiality” that comes along with very real environmental impacts.
Our task is to first, become acquainted with the environmental impacts of ICT. Second, all of us, as a society, need to think critically about the choices and the lack of choices that ICT brings us, and to explore and act on the accompanying intended and unintended consequences and responsibilities. This course intends to help us make informed decisions and choices, and to be active participants rather than passive consumers and objects of ICT.
Although we are very familiar with and use ICT extensively, few of us understand the hardware and software that keeps ICT functioning, and importantly, the growing control and commodification of our ICT actions. Further, words such as “cloud computing” and “cyberspace” give ICT an ethereal sense – that ICT has few physical structures. That is not the case! ICT, and all its offshoots, very much have a physical “materiality” that comes along with very real environmental impacts.
Our task is to first, become acquainted with the environmental impacts of ICT. Second, all of us, as a society, need to think critically about the choices and the lack of choices that ICT brings us, and to explore and act on the accompanying intended and unintended consequences and responsibilities. This course intends to help us make informed decisions and choices, and to be active participants rather than passive consumers and objects of ICT.
ESS299Y - Research Opportunity Program
Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/course/rop.
ENV 4001: Seminars in Environment and Health
There is a pressing need to study the complex relationships between the environment and human health, especially as we are increasingly challenged by environmental health issues. This course introduces students to various issues related to environment and health in providing an academic environment of inquiry and dialogue where graduate students from various disciplines can exchange ideas, information and insights. Through participation in the affiliated public environment and health seminar series and student-led seminars, the aim is to expose the students to the many ways that issues related to the environment and health are framed, examined, discussed and addressed. The course will stimulate students to reflect on this diverse discussion and to integrate their work into a broader context and perspective. Students will have the opportunity to explore linkages between environmental factors and health issues as these intersect with environmental and health policy, toxicological impacts, psychosocial factors, economic factors and ethical and legal issues.