Political Ecology

7.5 credits

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

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university

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).

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