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Module Content

The module focuses on the social and political dimensions of nature conservation problems and practice. It is theoretically grounded in political ecology but will draw upon a range of literature and case studies from around the world. You will develop critical awareness of how processes of power at different scales shape how the environment is managed and transformed. Literature from conservation science will bring an applied focus on policy and interventions, and anthropological perspectives will draw attention to the social construction of nature and the diversity of contexts in which conservation takes place. The module will enable you to analyse multi-dimensional environmental issues and conflict, and engage in debates on a range of topics such as the increasing marketisation of nature, social justice impacts of interventions, as well as specific problems such as the illegal wildlife trade and emerging initiatives like biodiversity offsetting. The assessment involves planning, participating in and reflecting upon a negotiation process around a conservation conflict scenario.

Indicative Topics

The module will cover the following topics which may be subject to change:

• Human impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity
• Definitions of nature
• The history of conservation and current practices
• Common property regimes
• Community-based conservation, wellbeing and justice
• Local / indigenous ecological knowledge
• Neoliberal conservation and economic conservation approaches
• Illegal wildlife exploitation and trade

Indicative Teaching delivery – Undergraduate

Each week, the module will be taught through two hours of short lectures and enquiry based activities, and a one hour tutorial during which you will discuss what you have read and learnt that week.

By the end of this module you should be able to:

1. apply relevant theoretical frameworks in analysing human-ecosystem interactions and conservation problems in different contexts
2. discuss the historical, political and ecological context of the conservation movement and how it has developed including debates over how nature and conservation are defined from different perspectives
3. synthesise knowledge and literature in order to develop arguments around key topics in conservation and sustainability
4. appraise environmental conflict situations, appreciate different stakeholder perspectives, plan for and engage productively in verbal negotiation, and reflect on this process and learning outcomes

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