GY574 Half Unit
Politics of Environment and Development
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Kasia Paprocki STC 4.21b and Dr Julia Corwin STC 4.14
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MPhil/PhD in Environmental Policy and Development. This course is not available as an outside option.
Course content
This course explores key themes at the intersection of development and environmental politics. Specifically, the course is centred on the applications of political ecology, critical development studies, and materialist human geography to topics in environment and development. In exploring the complex relationships between historical dynamics of development, inequality, and the environment, it covers a range of important natural resource and environmental issues, such as climate change, conservation, waste, and environmental social movements.
Teaching
In the Department of Geography and Environment, teaching will be delivered through a combination of classes/seminars, pre-recorded lectures, live online lectures, in-person lectures and other supplementary interactive live activities.
This course is delivered through a combination of seminars and lectures across Lent Term.
This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.
Indicative reading
- Li, T (2007), The Will to Improve, Durham: Duke University Press.
- Robbins, P (2012), Political Ecology: A Critical Introduction, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
- Scott, J (1991) Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed, New Haven: Yale University Press.
- West, P (2006) Conservation is Our Government Now: The Politics of Ecology in Papua New Guinea. Durham: Duke University Press.
- Wolford, W (2010) This Land Is Ours Now: Social Mobilization and the Meanings of Land in Brazil. Durham: Duke University Press.
Assessment
Essay (100%, 6000 words) in the ST.
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Geography & Environment
Total students 2020/21: Unavailable
Average class size 2020/21: Unavailable
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
