Module description
This module presents one of the most vibrant fields of research around the environment. Put most simply, political ecology sets out to understand the politics shaping human-environment relations. The module will begin by introducing political ecology as a distinctive approach to environmental questions. It will then turn to core concepts that are used by political ecologists in their efforts to make sense of the environment. The final part of the module will turn to concrete areas of research that political ecologists have focused on such as access to water, energy transitions and urbanisation.
Assessment details
2500 word Essay (100%)
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, you will be able to identify the key questions that have guided research in political ecology, while also being able to challenge some of the more simplistic and Eurocentric origin stories for the field. You will be able to explain key political ecological concepts on power, scale and nature. Finally, you will be able to put these concepts to work in better understanding key questions around the distribution of water, access to energy, and processes of urbanisation.
Teaching pattern
10 x 2 hours lectures/seminars
This module is delivered in weekly lectures combined with seminars and class discussion around the following structure
- Discovering political ecology
- Power
- Scale
- Nature
- Urbanisation
- Water
- Energy
- Fields and forests
- Virtual political ecology
- Group presentations