Postgraduate Course: Governing Mineral Extraction in Africa (PGSP11281)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Social and Political Science |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None |
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| Course description |
Reviewing statistics on Africa&©s declining share of world trade, Susan George remarked in 1993 &«one can almost hear the sound of sub-Saharan Africa sliding off the world map.&ª But in 2010 Africa seems to be back on the map. World market prices for &«strategic minerals&ª are rising. Not only governments and multinationals based in western countries, but increasingly investors from China, India and other rising economic power-players are scrambling to secure their access to Africa&©s remaining mineral wealth and trying to forge alliances with the continent&©s leaders. Is Africa finding a new place for itself in the world economy, or simply back to its colonial role as provider of raw materials for overseas manufacturing?
This course offers a critical introduction to current research on the historical, economic, social, political, environmental and geographical dimensions of mineral extraction in Africa. These topics are approached through theoretical literature and case studies of specific minerals, countries, enterprises and transport routes. The focus will not only be on the members and actions of the elites who govern mineral extraction. The daily realities of small-scale miners, smugglers, &«human taxis&ª and other foot-soldiers of extraction will also emerge in ethnographic detail.
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Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites |
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| Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
None
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| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: No |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| No Classes have been defined for this Course |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
&· Provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse factors shaping mineral extraction and its governance in contemporary Africa.
&· Compulsory reading and lectures will combine theoretically-oriented texts with detailed case studies around clearly defined sub-topics. These will give students an overview of the general course theme, but with enough specific facts to appreciate the wide diversity within it.
&· Students are enabled to think critically and make informed interpretations of a wide range of past and current trends shaping fundamental realities in Africa and the world economy.
&· Useful for students choosing to continue with academic work or pursue careers in a wide range of fields like development policy-making and practice in governmental or non-governmental organisations, consumer activism or indeed the worlds of international business and extractive industries.
&· Course is specifically designed to empower students by drawing on their previously existing understanding and expertise, e.g. from (voluntaty or paid) work and mass media reporting on Africa.
&· Preparation of group presentations will require students to self-organize in small teams to address a specific scientific and empirical question and finally display their results in a coherent manner and within limited time, making use of (audio)visual technology.
&· Preparation of the essay / lecture diary will require students to practice their skills in scientific writing and literature-based research.
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Assessment Information
| Students are assessed by an essay of 4000 words. All essays are based on comparative work linking larger bodies of literature with case-study material. Students can either decide to suggest an essay topic within the overall course theme or be given one by the course convenor, who will be available for individual consultation. By week 5 students must prepare a 500 word abstract for their essay. |
| Please see Visiting Student Prospectus website for Visiting Student Assessment information |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
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Course secretary |
Miss Madina Howard
Tel:
Email: Madina.Howard@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:31 am
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