GG4248 The Nature of Political Ecology

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Wed 10am-1pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M P Simpson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Michael Simpson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

We live in a time when human activities have profoundly altered the composition of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the geology upon which we live. Yet, at the very moment that humanity has arguably become the most powerful geological force on Earth, anthropogenic changes threaten the very conditions that sustain us. This course offers an introduction to political ecology - the study of the relationships and interactions between political-economic structures and ecological systems - and asks what it might teach us about the current climatic and ecological crises. We begin by considering how ontological and epistemological conceptions of nature are entangled in these crises. Next, we examine how logics of capitalism, the state, race, gender, and colonialism structure the environments we inhabit. We then explore how these environments are also co-produced by the non-human world. Finally, we ask what actions must be taken to ensure just and abundant planetary futures.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS 'GG2011 AND GG2012' OR 'SD2001 AND SD2002' OR 'GG2013, GG2014 AND SD2100' OR 'SD2005, SD2006 AND SD2100'.

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU PASS SD4115 OR TAKE SD4115

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

We will meet as a class for three hours each week. Approximately one hour of this time will be a lecture. Approximately two hours will be seminars consisting of class discussions, small group discussions, watching films, academic skills workshops, or other activities.

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

264

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Display a broad understanding of the field of political ecology;
  • Apply tools to critically appraise historical and contemporary conceptualizations of nature and demonstrate how these conceptualizations are mobilized politically;
  • Identify how natural environments are produced by social, cultural, political, and economic processes and structures;
  • Offer insights into how environments and concepts of nature intersect with race, class, gender, sexuality, and colonialism.