Political Ecology

Catalog description

This course introduces students to political ecology as one approach to advanced human-environment studies in geography. Political ecology is an interdisciplinary approach that combines environmental justice, cultural ecology, and other related approaches to undertake an integrated, holistic assessment of the relationships between social and ecological change. In particular, it analyzes the power dynamics at play in social and ecological marginalization and change; the social issues surrounding conservation of protected natural areas and species and conflicts over natural resources; the underlying causes of environmental conflicts; and issues of justice and distribution as they relate to the production and consumption of environmental goods and services. Students will gain familiarity with a wide range of theories and methods central to contemporary human-environment geography, such as Marxist political economy, Foucauldian governmentality, feminist intersectionality, ethnography, and land change science. Students will increase their knowledge of the world in general, and of approaches to the challenges of environmental policy in particular, by learning how these theories and methods have been put to use in the analysis of case studies from many different countries and continents. They will develop their ability to conduct independent research, work collaboratively, and present their thinking verbally and in writing through a variety of exercises and assignments. Upon completing this course, students will be able to: 1. understand key theories in political ecology 2. evaluate contemporary debates in human-environment studies using political ecology thinking 3. apply political ecology theories and concepts to relevant topics 4. use integrated thinking across the natural and social sciences to analyze and produce possible solutions to complex human-environment challenges