Course unit details:
Political Ecologies
Unit code | GEOG70952 |
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Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Offered by | Geography |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This unit examines the relationship between the political and economic dynamics of capitalism and the state on the one hand and the dynamics of environmental change on the other. Particular attention will be paid to the political nature of socio-ecological transformations. The political ecology of capitalism will be explored through a range of case studies from around the world. Furthermore, the relationship between capitalism, planetary urbanization and combined and uneven socio-ecological transformation will be explored with an eye towards identifying the political possibilities opened up by the environmental condition the world is in.
Aims
- Examining the Political Economy of the Environment
- Interrogating the history and present condition of Political Ecology
- Examining the Political possibilities of Environmental Concerns
- Exploring specific case-studies
- Examining the relationship between Global Environmental Change and Planetary Urbanization
- Introducing the politics and ecologies of the Anthropocene
- Examining Political-Ecological Movements
Teaching and learning methods
- Presentations
- Group Discussions
Knowledge and understanding
- Understand the relationship between capitalist development and ecological change.
- Be able to mobilize the methodologies of political ecology in a concrete socio-ecological environment.
- Evaluate different perspectives of political ecology
- Understand the relationship between political ecology and environmental politics
Intellectual skills
- Think critically and independently
- Analyse and evaluate different kinds of argumentation
- Make connections between theoretical arguments and real-world cases
- Assess the merits of contrasting theories and their policy implications
- Read advanced academic literature
Practical skills
- Develop, articulate, and sustain logical, structured and reasoned arguments in both written and oral contexts
- Build skills in public presentations and public debating
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Inter-personal communication
- Motivated and self-directed learning
- Critical thinking and argumentation
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- ¿ Policy Analysis ¿ Report Writing
- Oral communication
- Presentation skills
- Written communication
- Report Writing
- Other
- Policy analysis
Assessment methods
- 500 word essay on set reading, including key issues and questions for plenary group discussion (20%)
- Final 3000 word essay. The essay will relate to one of the themes/readings discussed in the course. A list of possible essay titles is provided (80%)
Feedback methods
- Oral feedback on leading group discussion in week of presentation
- Written feedback through Blackboard on both units of assessment
Recommended reading
Perreault T, Bridge G. and J. McCarthy (Eds.) Handbook of Political Ecology, Routledge, London and New York
Heynen, N., Kaika M., and E. Swyngedouw) (Eds.) In the Nature of Cities – Urban Political Ecology and the Politics of Urban Metabolism, Routledge, London and New York
Harvey, D. (2007) Limits to Capital, Verso, London
Harvey, D. (1996) Justice, Nature and the Politics of Difference. Blackwell, Oxford
Ernstson, H. and Swyngedouw E. (Eds.0 (2018) Interrupting the Anthropo-Obscene. Routledge, London
More detailed reading will be provided as part of the course unit handbook.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Seminars | 22 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 128 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Nate Millington | Unit coordinator |
Erik Swyngedouw | Unit coordinator |
Mark Usher | Unit coordinator |