Politics of Resources reading circle (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Programme:
1. Introduction to the course, goals and requirements
2. Resources and political future-making
3. The power of emotions in resource developments
4. Greenland and the dilemmas of uranium and climate change
5. Resources, (post)colonialism and nation-building
Conclusions.

Objective

By the end of this course, the participants are able to:
- Assess the relations between politics and resources
- Analyse resource developments from different critical perspectives
- Understand the role of resources in political future-making
- Understand the significance of resources for nation-building
- Analyse resource developments in (post)colonial contexts.

Execution methods

This course is based on independent reading and active participation in the sessions of the reading circle. The participants are expected to be present in all the five course meetings. A lecture diary. The course is preferably an in situ course, but it will be possible to participate via an online connection.

Accomplishment methods

We read selected texts and discuss them. The participants are expected to be active in the discussions, act as presenters and discussants in the sessions and take notes during the sessions and while reading the texts. Based on their notes, the reading material and the discussions, the participants will write a lecture diary. The diary will be evaluated.

Content

This course examines the dynamics between resources and politics. The focus of the course is on a critical assessment of the relations between different political aspirations and contradictory plans for resource developments. We will read texts that examine the significance of resources for politics from various perspectives, such as nation-building, imaginaries of wealth and independence and aspirations for de-colonization. We will especially focus on Greenland and the complex links between its political aim for independence and resource extraction as a means to achieve this aim.

Qualifications

The course is targeted to all doctoral researchers at the University of Lapland.