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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Political Ecology (GEGR11001)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaPostgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionHow 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? The multiple scales and seeming intractability of current environmental crises has prompted a number of critiques of mainstream environmentalism and sustainability. The theoretical components of this course are devoted to exploring the theories of relational natureculture, eco-Marxism and biopolitics. These concepts are worked through a range of environmental problematics: wild nature; non-human species mobility; biodiversity conservation; industrial food production; ecosystem services; geo-engineering; apocalyptic imaginaries. Class sessions are split between traditional lectures and more interactive activities. The course also encourages students to reflect on their own position and develop their own ways of thinking about the politics of nature.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
Breakdown of 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 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Critical understanding of the problems with mainstream environmentalism
2. Synthesize current theoretical debates and bring them into critical dialogue with real-world examples
3. Understand how nature is produced in different settings and contexts
4. Students to develop their own voice and way of thinking about the politics of environmentalism
Assessment Information
One essay abstract (10%)
One 3,000 word essay (90%)
Class assessment tbc
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Indicative outline of class meetings:
1. Introduction: Why politics of nature?
2. Theory: Hybrid nature-cultures
3. Wild: After nature
4. Invasion: mobile species and new natures
5. Aotearoa: indigenous naturecultures
6. Theory: Capitalism and neo-liberal natures
7. Ecosystem: Neoliberal environmental governance
8. Chicken: Biosecurity and producing life
9. Atmosphere: Geo-engineering the climate
10. Apocalypse! Living in the End Timesa topic for the session
11. Review and symposium
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list There is no set text book, but the following provide useful overviews. It is recommended that you use these books as ways into thinking about particular debates and for ensuring breadth of engagement.

Castree, N. (2005). Nature. London, New York: Routledge.
Castree, N., & Braun, B. (Eds.). (2001). Social nature: theory, practice, and politics. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell.
Hinchliffe, S. (2007). Geographies of nature: societies, environments, ecologies. London: Sage.
Peet, R., Robbins, P., & Watts, M. J. (Eds.). (2011). Global Political Ecology. London & New York: Routledge.
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsGEGR11001, Nature, environmentalism, eco-Marxism, relational, climate change, capitalism
Contacts
Course organiserDr William Ginn
Tel:
Email: wginn@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Lynne Mcgillivray
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: Lynne.McGillivray@ed.ac.uk
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