Courses

This course illustrates academic integrity and plagiarism in real-life scenarios. A clear sense of academic honesty and responsibility is fundamental to good scholarship, and the integrity of university academic work and the degrees conferred by the university is dependent upon the honesty and soundness of the teacher-student learning relationship and of the evaluation process. Therefore, all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism, and other academic offences. The Introduction to Academic Integrity course serves as a helpful, interactive companion to the academic integrity policy and procedures outlined in the Student Policies & Procedures, which contains the policies and procedures that guide academic life at Royal Roads and support our mission as a university.

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Weaves a coherent thread through the first year of the program, optimizing opportunities for learners to apply a transdisciplinary lens and a multi-world view perspective to current climate action challenges. Learners will engage in a two-week learning-intensive and in ongoing quarterly seminars to work with subject matter experts, exploring current theories, debates, policies and contemporary developments in the field of climate adaptation in Canada and globally. They will apply design thinking to address a real-world climate challenge that may be taken forward into CALS601.

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Provides a foundation in climate change science, impacts and services. Learners are introduced to global climate scenarios, models and projections that provide a basis for understanding regional models and climate projections. Focuses on a range of global to regional biophysical impacts, and the primary tools and methods used to distill the state of understanding of climate science into localized future projections. Explores climate science from a perspective that provides an understanding of the state and limitations of climate science, which tools are used in this emerging field, and why, and provides a strong basis for adaptation processes and decision making.
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Explores the role and significance of communication to climate action, examining and applying story-based and visual communication theories and strategies as effective tools for engagement and building bridges between science, multiple worldviews, and society. Examines the strengths, opportunities and challenges of digital learning environments, networks, and communities as means to support mutual learning and collaboration for climate action.

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Examines core principles, theories and concepts of climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and low-carbon resilience. Explores the linkage between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, and outlines strategies, methods, and tools for integrated climate risk assessment and management.

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Provides a framework for thinking about climate adaptation and low carbon resilience with topics focused on the economics of adaptation including assessment of economic impacts, cost-benefit analysis of climate adaptation options. Equips students with economic tools necessary to identify, prioritize, design and implement climate-adaptation projects and policies, and access climate finance for adaptation action.

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Focuses on reflective practice, professional conduct, and leadership skills for the adaptation management practitioner. Applies a systems approach to conflict and change management a consideration of how organizations and institutions can effectively develop and maintain adaptive systems. Special consideration will be given to the change leadership capacities necessary to effectively lead climate adaptation efforts.

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In this course students continue the development and application of design mindset and transdisciplinary thinking to climate action and leadership emphasizing knowledge translation and mobilization. The structure of this year-long course builds from CALS 501 with quarterly on-line seminars designed for reflection and integration of all topics underway in the program, culminating in a 3-day face-to-face conference designed to engage students, faculty, other climate change adaptation experts and professionals, and interested citizens in dialogue, knowledge sharing, and applied solution generation to place-based climate adaptation problems.

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Focuses on the research process with particular emphasis on creating effective action research questions, analyzing and synthesizing literature, developing evidence-based arguments, selecting systematic methodological approaches and methods to collect and analyze primary data, and develop research proposals.
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Collects, analyzes and synthesizes primary data to develop recommendations and identify areas for additional research. Requires students to adhere to the guidelines introduced in CAL 007 with regard to applied research, ethics and academic integrity.

In this course students continue the development and application of design mindset and transdisciplinary thinking to climate action and leadership emphasizing knowledge translation and mobilization. The structure of this year-long course builds from CALS 501 with quarterly on-line seminars designed for reflection and integration of all topics underway in the program, culminating in a 3-day hybrid conference designed to engage students, faculty, other climate change adaptation experts and professionals, and interested citizens in dialogue, knowledge sharing, and applied solution generation to place-based climate adaptation problems.

Introduces students to conceptual and applied frameworks and tools that support optimal assessment and action to minimize the exposure of people or entire populations to climate and disaster impacts and foster adaptation and resilience for individuals, organizations and communities. Supports students’ ability to translate and communicate downscaled climate data and projections into meaningful information usable in a range of contexts and stakeholder groups.
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Introduces students to epistemologies, methods and pathways for climate adaptation inquiry and consulting services. Working with a faculty supervisor, students will develop a Practitioner Portfolio equivalent to 9 credits, reflecting each students’ individual competency profile and learning/professional goals. Portfolios may include existing relevant for-credit courses (e.g., ENVP Climate Solutions Field School) and not-for-credit courses and continuing professional development learning opportunities (e.g., courses designed as part of the Inspiring Climate Action project). The portfolio will support students deepening knowledge and skills in specific, identified CCA competency areas or employment sectors. All not-for-credit work will include academic assessment strategies and outputs (e.g., reflection papers, webinars, podcasts) that demonstrate the acquisition and integration of relevant competencies and learning outcomes.
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In this course, students will design and implement a personalized course of study relevant to their specific needs and interests. Students select the focus or foci of this learning as part of their professional portfolio, draft a course of study agreement and get approval for this course of study from the faculty member guiding the CALS 692 course, and the Program Head. Students pursue the agreed-upon course of study. This course includes a learning component in which students engage with a community of practice of other self-directed learners, sharing knowledge and receiving and giving peer support and feedback.
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In this course students will engage in a work-related, experiential education experience or internship, which guides them in applying theoretical knowledge and professional skills in a supervised, professional, domestic or international work context relevant to their interests related to Climate Action Leadership. The internship requires a minimum of 420 contact hours at the host organisation, normally completed over a period of 3 to 5 months. It provides opportunities to design and present forward thinking climate action initiatives by bringing together classroom learning, theoretical concepts and academic literature with reflective practice and practical learning acquired through the internship placement.
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