Course description
This course focuses on political ecology as a phenomenon and an approach to analysing power, conflict, and sustainability in relation to the environment. It introduces key concepts in political ecology as well as recent theoretical developments in the field, which spans across human geography, environmental anthropology, ecological economics, and intersectionality.
The course examines how contemporary research in political ecology conceptualises power and justice in the context of environmental degradation and climate change and focuses on the complex interrelations between environmental degradation and vulnerability, access to natural resources and social marginalisation. By applying political ecology methods to empirical case studies, the course analyses how dominant narratives of environmental change are challenged by research that contextualises local phenomena on larger scales.
- Political ecology as phenomenon, method, and praxis
- Intersectional perspectives on power and the environment
- Environmental degradation, social marginalisation, and scale
- Environmental conflict and justice
- “Nature” and “the environment” as ideological concepts and reality
Target group
The course is compulsory for PhD students in Environmental Social Science at the University of Gothenburg. Other doctoral students are also welcome on the course.
Requirements and Selection
Entry requirements
In order to be eligible for the course the applicant must fulfil the general entry requirements for postgraduate studies
Selection
The course is open to students admitted to doctoral studies in Environmental Social Science, Peace and Development Research, Social Anthropology, or another relevant subject (e.g. human geography, human ecology, environmental history, or equivalent). Priority is given to PhD students in the School of Global Studies. Other applicants are assessed and ranked based on the relevance of their thesis subject.
Other information
The course is taught through lectures and seminars, individual reading, exercises and written assignments. The course runs on campus, which means that you need to be present in Gothenburg to take it.
Course syllabus
SFGS343
Department
School of Global Studies
Subject
Social Science
Type of course
Generic skills courses
Keywords
hållbarhet, ideologi, intersektionalitet, makt, miljökonflikt, miljöförändring, miljöförstöring, miljörättvisa, politisk ekologi, social marginalisering, sårbarhet, environmental change, environmental conflict, environmental degradation, environmental justice, ideology, intersectionality, political ecology, power, social marginalization, sustainability, vulnerability