New courses for undergraduate students

Each term, a variety of new courses are offered for the first time. Below is a centrally-maintained list of such courses, submitted by various academic units on campus. Click the course link to see the full course description in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar. Browse through the list for course details and check back often for updates.

Spring 2024

Last updated: March 21, 2024

ARTS 390 (Third-Year Topic in Arts Disciplines)/ENVS 374 (Special Topics in Environment)/HLTH 373 (Contemporary Issues in Health 3):

Topic title: The Wicked Problem of Precarity: Living in an Uncertain World Living in an Uncertain World promotional image

Topic details: This interdisciplinary course provides a comprehensive overview of the wicked problem of precarity. Unlike ordinary problems, which are well-defined, self-contained, and come with a limited set of potential solutions, wicked problems resist definition, are mixed up with other problems, and cannot be solved in a way that is simple or final. As our world becomes increasingly defined by its lack of resources, leading to living a life of insecurity, there is a growing need for responses and solutions that crosscut disciplinary boundaries. This course approaches the wicked problem of precarity from diverse disciplinary perspectives (i.e., applied sciences, humanities, social sciences, and health sciences) to investigate the various dimensions of this global challenge. Topics addressed include understanding what constitutes a wicked problem, poverty, homelessness, housing scarcity, and food insecurity - all fundamental aspects of our lives that are becoming more scarce or unaffordable. The course prepares students to analyze the wicked problem of precarity from an interdisciplinary perspective, to evaluate and critique diverse perspectives on the issue, and to devise potential solutions for mitigating and adapting to the uncertain world in which we live. Visit the Wicked Problem of Precarity: Living in an Uncertain World web page for details about this unique offering.

Additional information:

  • This special topic is open to all undergraduate students in level 3A or higher.
  • This special topic is a combination of both in-class and online learning.

REC 272 (Special Topics in Leisure Studies 2):

Topic title: Addiction, Health and Well-being

Topic details: This course provides an introduction to addictions and substance use and examines the extent and nature from a bio-psycho-social perspective. Students will develop an understanding of how alcohol, drug, and behavioral addictions influence one’s leisure time and experiences and will explore topics related to Canadian society. These topics include addiction identification approaches, pharmacological, physiological and emotional effects of drugs, approaches to prevention and treatment, leisure’s role in recovery, and the impact of addiction on communities, society and recreation and leisure.

Additional information:

REC 272 (Special Topics in Leisure Studies 2):

Topic title: Positive Youth Development Through Sport and Recreation

Topic details: Positive Youth Development (PYD) is a strengths-based approach that views youth as having ‘resources to be developed’ rather than ‘problems to be fixed’. This course will explore how PYD can be promoted through participation in sport, play, recreation, and leisure. Specific topics include barriers to participation, talent development, parenting, coaching, leadership, the media, fandom, sport for development, and life skills.

Additional information:

REC 372 (Special Topics in Leisure Studies 3):

Topic title: Venue Management

Topic details: Students will participate in the academic process of leading and managing sports and entertainment venues from the ground up, starting with governance and construction in Week 1 and finishing with delivering world class customer service in Week 12. A multilayered foundation of venue management will be established so that students gain an understanding of what is involved in leading a venue-based team while operating a public assembly facility (e.g., arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters, etc.).
Each week, a new element of venue management will be introduced to add depth and provide a practical application of the material. Whether it’s scheduling, ticketing, sponsorships or crowd management, the vision of this course is for students to see venue management as a viable career opportunity and to experience sports and entertainment facilities in a new way. And while there are many tried and true practical applications to venue management.

Additional information:

  • This special topic is open to all undergraduate students in level 3A or higher.
  • This special topic is being offered in person.
  • Please contact sara.houston@uwaterloo.ca to request enrolment.