IDSB02 – Development and Environment

Winter 2023
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Siera Vercillo ([email protected])

TEACHING ASSISTANTS: Abdul-Salam Ibrahim ([email protected]) and

Anahid Z. Simitian ([email protected])

LECTURES: Wednesdays: 1pm to 3pm in person lecture only at SW 309

(there will also be no tutorials or labs for this course)

OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays: 11am to 12pm [in person EV462 or virtual office hours using
zoom. You are welcome to send the Instructor or a TA an email to schedule a virtual or in-
person meeting at an alternative time].

Course objectives:

To examine the interface between development and the environment in a global context.
The specific aims of the course are to:
1. Examine the fundamental environmental principles of key problems associated with
international development.
2. Provide an introduction to the central issues and debates associated with development
and environmental change.
3. Develop an understanding of the environmental limits on human activities.
4. Develop research, writing, and critical analysis skills necessary for success at the
undergraduate level.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to appreciate the complex
interactions between ecological and biophysical processes, and the political and socio-
economics of development. Students will be able to identify and assess the multiple
political and economic actors and factors contributing to environmental change, and the
social consequences of these changes. Finally, students will be able to discuss the issues in
current sustainable development debates and initiatives.

Required readings:
“Development and Environment” course readings, available on Quercus.
The material covered in the readings will be used to help interpret the lecture material, to
add new concepts and examples to those covered in the lecture, and to provide
opportunities for discussion.

1
Course schedule:

Lecture Date Topic* What’s due

1 Jan. 11 Introduction
2 Jan. 18 Perspectives on progress
Assignment 1 Instruction
3 Jan. 25 Soils and food security
4 Feb. 1 Climate and climate change Assignment 1
(15%)
5 Feb. 8 Water and water scarcity
6 Feb. 15 Library session on research
tools
Assignment 2 Instruction
- Feb. 22 Reading week
7 March Forests and development Assignment 2
1 (15%)
8 March Agriculture and
8 development
9 March Conservation and
15 development
10 March Gendering the environment
22 and development
11 March Environmental justice Essay (35%)
29 movements and resistance
12 April 5 Review
Exam Period April 13 - 27 Exam (35%)
* We will aim to follow this schedule, but some topics may "overflow" into other lectures.
** See reading list posted on Quercus.

Course work, evaluation and deadlines:

Component Percent of final grade Due date
(by start of class at 1pm)
Assignment 1 15% February 1
Assignment 2 15% March 1
Essay 35% March 29
Final exam 35% Exam Period: April 13 - 27

2
Assignment 1 – Perspectives on Sustainable Development: In this assignment, students
will write a short (600-word) opinion editorial piece on the concept of sustainable
development based on readings, lecture material and class discussion. The Perspective
piece will be worth 15% of your final grade, due in class on February 1 (submitted online
via course website by start of class at 1pm). The instructor will provide more detailed
information on the perspectives piece in class, including a rubric.

Assignment 2 – Environment and Development Critical Appraisal: In this assignment,

students will go beyond summarizing the literature on environment and development:
instead, you will critically appraise or assess it. For this assignment, you will critically
read and analyze one academic journal article –an empirical study by completing a 2-page
form or report (submitted online via course website by start of class at 1pm). The
instructor will provide more detailed information on this in class. This assignment will be
worth 15% of your final grade. We will also have a library session to review online
literature search tools.

Essay: The instructor will provide the instructions and a choice between two essay topics
at the appropriate time in the course. The essay will be worth 35% of your final grade. The
instructions will cover a detailed description of requirements, late policy, marking criteria,
and research tools.

Final exam: A comprehensive final exam will be given during the Winter 2023 exam
period. It will consist of multiple-choice, short answer, and long answer questions. The test
will be worth 35% of your final grade.

3
Course Expectations
The following are recommended strategies to students for completing the course with a
good grade:
- Follow all lectures, readings and additional resources and take detailed notes;
- Read assigned material ahead of the weekly lectures, taking detailed notes;
- Complete the assignments and final paper following the detailed instructions;
- Ask questions and make use of office hours and peer support if you need help;
- Be respectful of others and inclusive of all learning capabilities and diversity
- Do not plagiarize.

Course Policies

 Students are expected to take detailed notes of lectures and readings.

 Students are expected to attend the final exam. If a student will require special
accommodation, this must be arranged and confirmed prior to the date of the
exams.
 Make-up exams will only be held in the event of medical or personal
accommodation. In the event of an absence during an exam, it is the student’s
responsibility to contact the instructor no later than 24h following the exam date.
 The assignments and final paper must be submitted electronically via the course
website by the end of the class on the dates listed above. Late assignments will be
penalized by 5% per day that it is late (excluding weekends). Students will also
receive their grade and written feedback electronically.
 If a student objects to the grade they receive, they may request a re-grading. To do
so, students must email the teaching assistant (also cc’ing the instructor) with a
detailed explanation as to why they feel their work deserves re-grading. This
written explanation must be received no earlier than 24 hours after receiving the
grade, or the case will not be considered. Note on re-grading: one of three
outcomes are possible: a student’s grade may be raised, it may remain the same, or
it may be lowered.
 A dedication to inclusive learning by respecting what others say, their right to say
it, and the thoughtful consideration of others' communication.

As the Instructor, I recognize that our individual differences can deepen our understanding
of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us. In this course, people of all
ethnicities, genders and gender identities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, abilities,
socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share
their rich array of perspectives and experiences. If you feel your differences isolate you
from the UTSC community or others in this course, please speak with me at any point in
the semester about your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an
active, respected and engaged member of our class and community.

Extensions and penalties for late work:

Students requiring extensions for their Perspective or Essay must arrange these extensions
with the instructor in advance of the deadline. Assignments will be subject to a late penalty
of 5% per day of the total marks attained for the assignment.

4
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence. Please read the faculty’s guidelines on
plagiarism. Do not hesitate to consult with your instructor or TA about strategies that you
can use to avoid being accused of plagiarism.

Office hours:
The instructor is available for in-person and virtual office hours every week. This time is
dedicated to your interests and questions, so please make use of it. The teaching assistants
in this course also provide office hours for you, which you can schedule with them in
advance. I encourage you to make full use of this time to answer questions.

Email contact:
We will answer emails concerning this course within a reasonable timeframe. Tutorials on
course material will not be given over email. At times, we may decide to send out
important course information by email. All UTSC students are required to have a valid U
of T email address. You are responsible for ensuring that your email address is set up and
properly entered in the ROSI system. Emails originating from accounts other than UTSC
or U of T will not be answered.

5
Course website – Quercus:
IDSB02 uses Quercus for its course website. To access the IDSB02 website, go to the U of
T portal login page at http://portal.utoronto.ca and log in using your UTORid and
password. Once you have logged in to the portal using your UTOid and password, look for
course modules, where you’ll find the link to the IDSB02 course website.

Additional academic resources

Accessibility statement:
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in IDSB02. In particular, if
you have a disability/health consideration that may require accommodation, please feel
free to approach me and/or AccessAbility Services Office as soon as possible. I will work
with you and AccessAbility Services to ensure you can achieve your learning goals in this
course. Enquires are confidential. The UTSC AccessAbility Services staff are available by
appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate
accommodations (416-287-7560 or [email protected]).

CTL Writing Support:

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a free service that provides support for
teaching and learning through writing for all UTSC students. CTL provides service such
as one-on-one consultation, drop-in hours, and writing groups. The writing support
website is: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/writing-support.

Health & Wellness Centre:

The Health & Wellness Centre has trained health professionals to provide medical,
nursing, counseling, health promotion and education services to University of Toronto
Scarborough students. Call 416-287-7065 or email [email protected].