GY474 Half Unit
Politics of Environment and Development
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Julia Corwin STC 4.14 and Dr Jayaraj Sundaresan STC 3.04
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Environment and Development. This course is available on the MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change and MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If the course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department’s discretion and a waiting list may be created. For further details, please contact your relevant Programme Coordinator.
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.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the LT.
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%, 4000 words) in the ST.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 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 situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of 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 2019/20: 76
Average class size 2019/20: 15
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication
