Mål og innhald

The course introduces and exemplifies theories and approaches in ethnographic studies ofrelations between society and nature. Through anthropological case studies from throughout the world, comparative perspectives are sought on human knowledge, use and management of resources in contexts of agriculture, fishing, pastoralism and other systems of production. The course gives additional attention to contemporary issues of conflict over resources in the tropical world, particularly concerning the globalization of timber, fish and minerals in tropical areas formerly on the colonial peripheries. In intensive seminars, wider comparative perspectives from students´ own countries are developed. Finally, the course addresses the involvement in resource contestations of global actors such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), transnational companies and development aid agencies, highlighting the ways in which these processes interact with local systems of tenure, property and politics.

Through the close study of ethnographic cases from throughout the world, the students shall gain analytical insights into resource use conflicts and local-global interactions in a range of ecological contexts and economic regimes. The course also aims to provide students with basic analytical tools for fieldwork on human-environment interactions in contexts of globalization.

Læringsutbyte/resultat

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

- discuss comparative perspectives on relations between society, nature and natural resources.

- outline - ethnographically and analytically - contestations and political processes related to natural resources.

- apply central anthropological concepts associated with ecology, resource management and human-environment interaction in an independently written work.

- identify the biases and assumptions that underlie representation - including their own - in debates about resource management, sustainable development and poverty.

Undervisningssemester

Autumn 2014, thereafter every 4th semester

Eksamenssemester

Course semester and subsequent semester

Studienivå

Master

Institutt

Department of Social Anthropology

Krav til studierett

The course is available to students at the master´s programme in anthropology of development

Krav til forkunnskapar

The participants must have a good Bachelor or Master degree in a social science discipline or other disciplines relevant to the course content

Undervisning og omfang

Lectures and seminars

4-6 hours each week

6-8 weeks

26 hours in total (Depending on students requirements, special seminars may be given)

Obligatoriske arbeidskrav

Mandatory presence in class, well prepared in terms of syllabus, active participation in discussions. Submission of essay (obligatory, not included in exam, valid for two semesters).

Vurderingsformer

School exam, 6 hours.

Karakterskala

Grading A-F

Emneevaluering

A third of the courses offered each semester will be evaluated through My Space