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Study information

The Resource Paradox: Blessing or Curse?

Module titleThe Resource Paradox: Blessing or Curse?
Module codePOC3103
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Deborah McFarlane (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

10

0

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

35

Module description

In this interdisciplinary module you will look at some of the social, economic and political ramifications of varied processes of resource extraction around the world. This module seeks to situate these forms of extraction within a broader nexus of security and development to go beyond dichotomous discussion about if these industries promote or impede ‘development’ and instead question how varied practices around the world challenge and complicate our understanding of what development is, how it happens and what it means in the first place.  Natural resources drive the economies and technologies of the developed world but they also have a huge impact on developing societies. The challenges associated with extractive industries have different manifestations and complexities in different locations. However, the conflicts that they are involved in have implications for conflict between and within nations on a global scale. The international community is deeply implicated in the complex political crises that can emerge not only because it drives extractive industries but also because of the global governance mechanisms through which a wide range of actors engage in local contexts.

 

No specialist knowledge, skills or experience are required to take this module. It is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students. The module is suitable for students studying Politics, Geography, FCH and History. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to enable you:

-       To introduce mainstream and critical understanding about the relationship between resources and development from an international perspective

-       To link theory to a range of case studies and give students opportunity to research contemporary empirical cases

-       To familiarize students with an inter-disciplinary literature which engages the social, political and economic impacts of resource extraction and resource conflict across the globe

-    To challenge and engage with complex empirical cases from a range of levels of analysis

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge about resource extraction and resource conflict, with reference to state of the art theoretical debate as well as empirical examples
  • 2. Demonstrate in depth understanding of debates about international concepts of and approaches to development, and criticism of them

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Assimilate taught materials and utilize them to critically analyse and evaluate conflict case studies
  • 4. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of major political theories and understandings of how to apply them to empirical case studies identified in the course
  • 5. Synthesise a range of literatures
  • 6. Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical arguments within a significant sub-sector of academic and practitioner interest

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. Research and write critically and analytically
  • 8. Communicate complex arguments effectively through written submissions intended for a range of audiences
  • 9. Communicate and defend stakeholder positionality

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • Ethical consumption
  • The resource curse and political economy
  • Major theories about the relationship between resources and development
  • Indigenous peoples and land conflict
  • Case studies
  • Conflict minerals

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
201300

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity2010 x 2 hour seminars
Guided Independent Study62For directed reading and completing formative assignment
Guided Independent Study6For completing the media briefing
Guided independent study14For preparing the presentation and debate
Guided independent study48For completing the research essay

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Research essay outline300 words1-8Written or verbal

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Media Briefing Paper301200 words2-7, 9Written
Research Essay703000 words1-8Written
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Media Briefing Paper1200 word media briefing paper2-7August/September reassessment period
Research Essay3000 word research essay1-8August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Hilson, G. and Clifford, M.J., 2010. A ‘Kimberley protest’: Diamond mining, export sanctions, and poverty in Akwatia, Ghana. African Affairs109(436), pp.431-450.

Kirsch, S., 2007. Indigenous movements and the risks of counterglobalization: tracking the campaign against Papua New Guinea's Ok Tedi mine. American ethnologist34(2), pp.303-321.

Nash, J.C., 1993. We eat the mines and the mines eat us: Dependency and exploitation in Bolivian tin mines. Columbia University Press.

Watts, M., 2009. Oil, development, and the politics of the bottom billion. Macalester International24(1), p.11.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Antipode

Development in Practice

Development and Change

Environment and Planning

Extractive Industries and Society

Geoforum

Third World Quarterly

Key words search

Resources, Development, Conflict

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

02/08/2017

Last revision date

03/06/2021