In this seminar we will look at the political and economic dimensions of the climate and environmental crisis. Drawing on a wide array of critical inputs from Political Ecology, Ecological Economics, Post-development, and Ecofeminism, as well as environmental justice case studies, we will challenge mainstream "apolitical" approaches to sustainability and learn to link issues of power and inequality to the urgent need of preserving the livability of our planet. Some of the themes of the course will include: environmentalism of the poor; critical approaches to nature conservation; geographies and political economy of the energy transition; criticism of 'decoupling' and green growth; environmental justice and ecological distribution conflicts;ecofeminist critique of political economy; the issue of valuing nature; and more. Please note that the seminar is fully taught in English, and all assignments must be submitted in English.
The course will consist of varied teaching methods, including frontal lectures, group debates, flipped classroom sessions, and individual assignments. Students are expected to read the provided material before each class and to actively participate, to foster a cooperative and participatory learning environment.
- Lehrende/r: Donatella Gasparro
Semester: ST 2023