Course content

The course builds on concepts and theories from political ecology to engage with the interrelations between environmental change and social, political, and economic factors; particularly how socio-environmental processes affect resource control, access, and use, and vice versa. Theoretical debates in political ecology are introduced and discussed in relation to i) the economic system and commodification of nature, ii) the role of environmental knowledge, discourse and ideology in struggles over resources, iii) space and scale, iv) resource ownership, access and use, and v) everyday struggles within communities. A core focus is the push for green transition into low-carbon society and implications for democracy, justice and sustainable resource governance.

The course is designed for students participating in an exchange program between NTNU and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia, and is taught as an one-month intensive course in the spring semester. It emphasises field-based learning, where students engage with the dilemmas and opportunities for green transitions through dialogues with governments, industries, and communities in resource rich regions.

Learning outcome

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, general competence, and outputs:

Knowledge

• Can demonstrate an in-depth analysis of the role of power and politics in shaping the relations between human and their environment.
• Can discuss problems, challenges and potential solutions related to environmental struggles.
• Has an understanding of how environmental identities and unequal access to resources impact experiences of justice and sustainability transitions.

Skills

• Can critically evaluate and reflect on the core concepts and key debates in political ecology, the economic system and the commodification of nature, spatiality and temporality of natural resources, and environmental knowledge and discourses.

• Has skills in conducting field-based research and applying relevant research methodologies.
• Is able to disseminate knowledge and communicate topics to both peers and a broader audience in written texts and oral presentations in English.

General Competence

• Has experience in collaborating with fellow students and stakeholders in the field to better understand complex social phenomena.
• Experience in international and cross-cultural collaboration and learning.

Learning methods and activities

Learning methods and activities

The course is taught in collaboration with UGM and requires a one-month exchange to Indonesia in January-early February in the spring semester. Learning activities include:

• Seminars and lectures

• 4-days field work

• Group discussions, presentations and report writing

Compulsory assignments

The course is part of an exchange program, and it is required that the students take an active part of the teaching activities with fellow students at UGM, Indonesia. This includes:

• Participation in field trip, seminars and lectures

• Group work report

• Presentations

Compulsory assignments

• Field trip, seminars and lectures
• 4-days field work
• Group discussions, presentations and report writing

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

This is an admission restricted course. Admission requires that you have been selected to participate in the student exchange programme Engaging with Just Sustainable Transitions (EnJuST) between the Department of Geography and Social Anthropology (NTNU) and the Department of Politics and Governance (UGM).

Admission to the course is done in consultation with the Department of Geography and Social Anthropology.