Postgraduate Course: Political Ecology (GEGR11001)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The seeming intractability and growing urgency of current environmental crises have prompted a number of critiques of mainstream environmentalism and sustainability. This course therefore explores the problems and limitations of mainstream thinking about the politics of nature. In particular, the course draws on the anti-capitalist theories of eco-Marxism and the post-natural philosophies of a number of influential Western thinkers. We use these concepts to work through a range of environmental problematics: wild nature; the urban green; biodiversity conservation; industrial food production; ecosystem services; geo-engineering; apocalyptic imaginaries; Indigenous naturecultures. Sessions are split between lectures and more interactive activities. We will be asking questions such as: How can we understand the relationships between culture and nature? Where and how are material and imaginary natures made? How do questions of nature become questions of power and capital? Through the course you will develop your own conceptual and political position on the politics of nature which will equip you in your future task of tackling environmental problems. |
| Course description |
Indicative outline of class meetings:
1. The Anthropocene and the End of Nature
2. We have never been modern: Hybrid nature-cultures
3. Capitalism and neo-liberal natures
4. Chicken: Biosecurity and producing life
5. Ecosystem Services: Neoliberal environmental Governance
6. Atmosphere: Geo-engineering the climate
7. Wild: Enchantment after nature
8. Aotearoa New Zealand: Indigenous naturecultures
9. Urban green: Reconciliation ecology
10. Apocalypse! Living in the End Times
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
163 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Book review: deadline 12 February 2015 (20%)
Degree Essay: deadline 26 March 2015 (70%)
Assessed class presentation (10%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
1. You will gain understanding of the critiques of mainstream environmentalism
2. You will be able to synthesise current theoretical debates and bring them into critical dialogue with real-world examples
3. You will develop understanding of how nature is produced in different settings and contexts
4. You will be encouraged to develop their own voice and way of thinking about the politics of nature
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Reading List
There is no set text book, but the following provide useful overviews.
Castree, N. (2013). Making sense of Nature. London: Routledge.
Hinchliffe, S. (2007). Geographies of nature: societies, environments, ecologies. London: Sage.
Peet, R., Robbins, P., & Watts, M. eds. (2011). Global Political Ecology. London & New York: Routledge. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | GEGR11001,Nature,environmentalism,eco-Marxism,relational,climate change,capitalism |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Calum Macleod
Tel: (0131 6)51 4447
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Karolina Galera
Tel: (0131 6)50 2572
Email: |
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