International politics and indigenous peoples (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After completing this course, the doctoral researcher is able to:
- recognise key international political and legal developments with regard to indigenous peoples
- identify key political changes in international discussions related to indigenous peoples
- understand the developments in the United Nations in relation to indigenous peoples
- understand the benefits and problematics of political participation and inclusion
- critically discuss the idea of progress in international politics and law.

Execution methods

Teaching profile: HYBRID 3

Content

This course examines how international politics has addressed the claims of Indigenous peoples. The United Nations is the particular forum through which the inclusion and exclusion of indigenous peoples is discussed. The course problematizes the prevailing understandings of progress in international politics and law. The course benefits all doctoral candidates who are interested in a critical examination of power dynamics in political, legal and social processes of inclusion and participation.

Materials

• Lightfoot, Sheryl (2016) Indigenous mobilization and activism in the UN system. In: Corinne Lennox and Damien Short (eds) Handbook of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, pp. 253-267. Abingdon: Routledge.


• Corntassel, Jeff (2007) Partnership in Action? Indigenous Political Mobilization and Co-optation During the First UN Indigenous Decade. Human Rights Quarterly 29(1): 137-166.


• Lindroth, Marjo (2014) Indigenous rights as tactics of neoliberal governance: Practices of expertise in the United Nations. Social and Legal Studies 23(3): 341-360.


• Lindroth, Marjo and Sinevaara-Niskanen, Heidi (2014) Adapt or die? The biopolitics of indigeneity – from the civilising mission to the need for adaptation. Global Society 28(2):180-194.


• Lindroth, Marjo and Sinevaara-Niskanen, Heidi (2021) Politics of hope: Transformation or stagnation? In S.A. Hamed Hosseini, Barry K. Gills, James Goodman ja Sara Motta (eds) The Routledge Handbook of Transformative Global Studies. London: Routledge, 230-242.


• Lightfoot, Sheryl (2019) The pessimism traps of indigenous resurgence. In T. Stevens and N. Michelsen (eds) Pessimism in International Relations, 155-172. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Teaching methods

A course with lectures (12h), assigned readings and discussions. Each student prepares a short introduction for one of the lectures based on the reading material. Writing a learning journal.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

0 Fail
Performance is highly deficient or erroneous. The work may be based on serious misunderstandings.

1 Sufficient
Performance is narrow in scope, superficial, or corresponds poorly to the assignment. The doctoral researcher merely lists things out of context or addresses them one-sidedly. The work may contain errors or obscurities and is lacking in terms of scientific writing skills.

2 Satisfactory
Performance is narrow in scope or superficial. The work mainly repeats the content of the course or addresses it one-sidedly. The work may contain obscurities. The language and composition of the work demonstrate basic skills in scientific writing.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3 Good
Performance corresponds to the assignment, demonstrates understanding and analytic skills. The doctoral researcher has formed a comprehensive perception of the issue area but it may contain deficiencies. The work is clear in terms of language and adheres to principles of scientific writing.

4 Very Good
Performance corresponds to the assignment, demonstrates understanding and analytic skills. The doctoral researcher has formed a comprehensive perception of the issue area and is able to reflect on the content of the course from multiple angles. The work is clear in terms of language and adheres to principles of scientific writing.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 Excellent
Performance demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the issue area and an ability to apply the acquired knowledge to novel contexts. The work contains independent thinking and critical reflection, is well written and demonstrates good scientific writing skills.