Political Ecology
Syllabus, Master's level, 5KA404
- Code
- 5KA404
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Cultural Anthropology A1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Finalised by
- The Department Board, 25 October 2010
- Responsible department
- Department of Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology
Entry requirements
Students admitted to any of one or two year Master programme within humanities and social sciences or with a B.A degree in humanities or social sciences.
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to probe how understandings of ecology and the relationship of people to their environment vary cross-culturally.
After accomplishing the course the student is expected to:
- Have an in-depth understanding of how people's relationships to their environment are articulated in different contexts;
- Have the analytical and conceptual tools for analysing society-environment relations from a political ecology perspective;
- Discuss the interactions of local, national and global processes through specific case-studies;
- Be able to analyse environmentalist discourses and their practical consequences in relation to society and culture.
Content
Ecology is inherently political. In this course the 'ecocosmologies' of indigenous peoples are compared to the ecological paradigms of western science. Contemporary case studies serve to illustrate ongoing contests for stewardship over resources, to discuss modern buzzwords such as 'sustainable development' and to debate the Tragedy of the Commons model.
Instruction
The teaching will be conducted through lectures, seminars and counselling. Attendance at seminars is obligatory. The language of instruction is English.
Assessment
The course grade will be based on active participation in seminars and the writing of a paper. The grades are Pass with distinction (VG), pass (G), fail (U).