An important element of political ecology is challenging the dominant narratives about human-environmental relationships and development. This course highlights some of the significant contributions that political ecology makes to the study of the environment. In the first part of the course explores the foundational concepts of political ecology, including its historical roots, key explanatory targets, and critical conceptual viewpoints/tools, including perspectives from ecology, Marxist political economy, common property, peasant studies, environmental history, gender studies, indigenous studies, decolonial and post-colonial theory.

Learning critical skills and approaches will help you make deeper analyses of key sustainability issues, allowing you to explain how sustainable development is linked to the management of natural resources. You also be able to relate to and evaluate the visions and strategies of different actors and their work to achieve a fair and sustainable society.

The course is taught by researchers from Södertörn University, who teach on issues related to their research expertise. The group will be 30-40 students, divided into two seminar groups. The course is based on lectures, seminar preparation and participation, with one major assignment (individually or in pairs). You will have 4-6 hours of contact time each week, with more self-guided study time necessary to complete the seminar and assignment work.