Module Content

The module brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to social-ecological systems, and nature conservation problems and practice. The module 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.

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
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:

apply relevant theoretical frameworks in analysing human-ecosystem interactions and conservation problems in different contexts
	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
	synthesise knowledge and literature in order to develop arguments around key topics in conservation and sustainability
	appraise environmental conflict situations, appreciate different stakeholder perspectives, plan for and engage productively in verbal negotiation, and reflect on this process and learning outcomes
Teaching delivery – Postgraduate

Each week, there will be a two hour seminar which will incorporate short lectures and discussion around what you have read and learnt that week.

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

Be able to apply relevant theoretical frameworks in analysing human-ecosystem interactions in different contexts and assess the value and limits of different disciplinary perspectives on sustainability issues
	Have comprehensive knowledge of and be able to 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
	Be able to research, synthesise and critically assess literature and case studies in order to develop an argument around a key topic in conservation /sustainability of their choosing
	Be able to critically assess environmental conflict situations, appreciate different stakeholder perspectives, engage productively in verbal negotiation, and reflect on this process and personal learning outcomes