Geography, the Environment, and Human Health
one-way Exclusions
One 1.5 hour lecture and one 1.5 hour in-class activities per week
All course readings will be made available on OnQ throughout the semester.
Please note that course information listed in the Arts and Science Course Calendar supersedes any information listed on the Geography and Planning website.
For the most current course offerings, registered Queen鈥檚 students should consult .
Course Description
Examines the relationship between human health and built, physical, and social environments. Focus is influence of local environmental conditions on population health outcomes within the North American urban context. Policy and programming options for improving local conditions are explored.
Course Overview
This course exposes students to the numerous ways in which the spaces and places we live, work, and play shape human health. The focus of the course is on the health impacts of built environments, since the built form has tremendous implications on our social relations and the conditions of natural environments. The course begins by examining historical connections between health and the environment, and the importance of changing conceptualizations of disease on community planning and design. Students learn about various domains through which local environments impact health, as well as contemporary approaches to creating spaces and places that support healthy living for all.
Course Topics
Historical connections between health and local environmental conditions; diseases and health issues linked to local environments; health implications of local environments (e.g., neighbourhoods, transportation systems, housing, workplaces and schools, food, water, and air); local environments and vulnerable populations; approaches to creating healthier spaces and places. Emphasis will be placed on the Canadian context.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and explain the connections between human health, determinants of health, and place.
- Interpret and explain health disparities as they relate to place and local environmental conditions.
- Evaluate the potential health impacts of the built environments they encounter everyday.
- Predict how local environmental conditions may contribute to population health disparities.
- Review academic and non-academic literature, conduct field observations, and communicate in written, oral, and virtual formats with greater ease and confidence.
Assessments
Subject to Change
- Class Engagement (Throughout the Term): 20%
- GIS Assignment (Early in Term): 20%
- Built Environment Audit Assignment (Mid Term): 30%
- Term Project (End of Term): 30%