Political economy of natural resources M1

A typical class will combine lecture with open discussion and small group exercises. Students are expected to come to class having read all compulsory assigned readings by the day they appear on the syllabus and be prepared to discuss them critically.

The course will be divided into six sessions (across three parts) of four hours each. Each four-hour session will further be subdivided into two major topics which will be covered across two hours each.

Part I of the module, which will include the first two classes, will discuss general approaches to the study of Political Economy of Natural Resources from a critical lens. This will include relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks, analytical tools and historical perspectives which shape the contemporary political economics of natural resources.

Part II of the module will introduce students to discussions and critical perspectives to explore contemporary issues around natural resource extraction, consumption, and distribution. This will include discussions on land and agrarian issues (including agricultural extractivism, the global food system, and ‘cheap’ labour), air and water, minerals, and biodiversity and conservation. It will also discuss the environmental justice movements and struggles for defence of land, territories, ecosystems, and natural resources across the world.

Part III of the module will present discussions on the major debates around transitions towards just and equitable distribution of natural resources and ecosystems across the world. This section will critically examine major contemporary discussions around green capitalism, conflicts around renewable energy transitions, as well as transformative alternative economic, social, and political frameworks towards socioecologically viable, just, and equitable transitions.

Assessments and Exams:

At the end of the second session, students will be asked to develop a 1-2 page proposal for the topic of their final essay. It is up to the student to choose something they are interested in which relates to the themes and topics we will read about and discuss throughout the course.

Upon finalization of the topics of their choice, students will be divided into small groups based upon common thematic interests of students’ chosen topics of the final essay.

At the end of the third session, student groups will be asked to present a brief summary of different thematic tracks of their topic of interest for the final essay. They will also submit the research proposal at this stage. Research proposals will be distributed to students in order to provide written peer-reviews. At the end of the fifth session, the students will be asked to provide a written peer review of a fellow student’s paper proposal. These peer reviews should be critical yet constructive, asking relevant questions, and making an effort to provide useful feedback.

At the end of the semester, the students will be required to submit the final essay of 4000 words on their topic of choice.

Submission timelines:

10th January: Division into thematic sub-groups

7th February: Paper proposal submission; group presentation

21st February: Peer-review submission

End of semester (date tbd): Final Essay Submission

Grading will be based on the following rubric:

• Paper proposal – 10%
• Peer review – 15%
• Attendance and participation in class discussions– 10%
• Group presentation– 15%
• Final Essay – 50%