Thursday 14 July 2016

POL 3312: POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT SUB TOPIC: NATURE AND SOCIETY: POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT



BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

POL 3312: POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT


SUB TOPIC: NATURE AND SOCIETY: POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT



INSTRUCTOR: MUAZU M. YUSIF



ACADEMIC YEAR: 2015/2016







Introduction
Is nature part of the society or is separate from the society? There is no simple answer to this question.  However, whatever contribution to locate within the debate will have wider implications on socio-economic development and politics in human society.

Furthermore, because of different structures of the economies of developing and developed countries, the relationships with nature, sometimes create cooperation but another time conflicts.

The objective of this course is to expose students to another politics of complex relationships between nature and society in the area of climate change with a view to develop theoretical and methodological capacity in dealing with nature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE
The expression of nature in our world of today and indeed in understanding the ecological crisis of our time, is in the dynamics of climate change.

The critical question is the intersection of nature and human activities in the causation of climate change which has risky consequences on man development.

The course is framed within social science conception of development and therefore will engage in the discourse on development, specifically on nature and development.

We are going to attempt understanding of common saying – the climate change – through theories and concepts that would give explanatory meanings to the phenomenon.

The course is divided into five parts of a single process of development of knowledge in analysis and understanding relationship between nature, society and development.

One is going to deal with concepts, theory and method that will give explanatory capacity of the phenomenon.

Second is what involves climate change and conflict it gives to human society.

Third is the global management of climate change, the laws and the institutions.

Fourth is climate change in relation to international trade issues.

Finally is the political movement for change and intervention as a result of climate change.

COURSE PROGRAMME
1.         GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Introducing the Course: Topics and reading; Course requirements; Aid for learning and research; assessment of the teaching programme by student; socialisation; other things; division of students into seminars.

Reading
a.      Munro C. and Rosanna D. (2007) “E-Research: An Introduction to Online Political Science for Beginners and Sceptics.
b.      M. M. Yusif, “How to write Small Research Project”.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      How and Why Online Political Science for Learning and Research?.

2.         POLITICAL SCIENCE AND NATURE STUDY:
           
Reading
a.      Frederick Engels, “Introduction to Dialectics of Nature”.  Selected Works, Vol.3
b.      James C. G, “Integration and Fragmentation in Political Science: Exploring Patterns of Scholarly Communication in a Divided Discipline”.
c.      Shu-Yun M. (2007); Political Science at age of Chaos? The Paradigmatic Implications of Historical Institution, IPSR.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      Making a pattern note reading of Frederick Engels and discussion on the text.

3.         THEORY AND METHOD: A PATH TO CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE:

Reading
a.      Trevor Bernes (2006), “Between Deduction and Dialectics: David Harvey on Knowledge”.
b.      Erik O. W. (1978), “Class, Crisis and the State”. Chapter One.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      A scientific approach to knowledge is not by a fixed of understanding social phenomenon.  Discuss
b.      The Unity of theory and empirical evidence strengthenes the quality of knowledge.

4.         THE KEY WORD AND THE OTHER CONCEPTS: SPACE; ENVIRONMENT; NATURE; ECOLOGY; DEVELOPMENT; SOCIETY; POLITICS.

Reading
a.      All the texts are relevant
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      Distinguish between Nature, Ecology and Environment.

5.         THEORETICAL CONTEXT

Reading
a.      Bruce Braun (2006); “Towards a New Earth and a New Humanity: Nature, Ontology, Politics”.
b.      James K. B. (2002). “The Political Economy of the Environment. Chapters 4, 5 and 7.
c.      Immanuel Wallenstein (1979).  The Capitalist World Economy.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      Nature is dynamic unity with society.  It is neither separate nor opposed but of internal relations within a larger totality.  Discuss with reference to climate change.
b.      The logic of capital to expand production runs against the limit of the earth’s energy thereby causing change of nature.  Discuss with reference to climate change.
c.      Read by pattern note style the chapter on “The globalisation of market failure” in James K. B. To examine the transfer of Agric.  pollution from global south to North.

6.   RETHINKING DEVELOPMENT: NATURE AND DEVELOPMENT NEXUS

Reading
a.      Robert R. (1979). The history of Development: from Western origins to Global faith.  Chapters 1 and 10.
b.      Norman J. V. And Regina S. A. (eds). The Global Environment: Institutions, Law and Policy – Section IV on case studies on Sustainable development.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      Illustrate what is meant by Sustainable Development with any case study.

7.         UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE

Reading
a.      Atiq A. R. “Climate change and violent conflict.  In Sulaiman M. (ed.); Ecology, Politics and Violent conflict.
b.      Lester R. B. And others (1989), State of the World.
c.      Robert M. J. (ed.), Global Issues, Chapter 1.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      Climate change is a socio-natural phenomenon.
b.      Climate change expresses social and political relations in modern capitalist society.
c.      Climate change is a result of humanity’s interference with nature.

8.   GLOBAL MANAGEMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: FROM KYOTO TO PARIS.

Reading
a.      Michael R. M. (2007); “United Nations Climate Change Agreements.” In Norman J.V. and Regina S. A. (eds.), Op-cit.
b.      UN (2015); Adoption of Paris Agreement.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      The Paris Conference on climate change involves diverse interests expressing the balance of forces in the global economy.  What is the politics of the conference?

9.         CLIMATE CHANGE AND CORPORATE INTEREST.

Reading
a.      Bob Jessop (2010); “From Hegemony to crisis? The Continuing Ecological Dominance of Neo-liberalism”.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      The current economic organisation of capital expresses the rise of corporate businesses in the ecological control of the world.

10.       CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES UNDER THE WTO REGIME OF TRADE RELATIONS

Reading
a.      Aaron C. (ed.) (2008).   Trade and climate change: Issues in perspective.
b.      The World Bank (2008).  International Trade and Climate Change: Economic, Legal and Institutional Perspectives.
c.      WTO (2009); WTO-UNEP Report: Trade and Climate Change.
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      The relationship between trade and climate change is dynamic which may lead or not to economic growth.  Comment.

11.       POLITICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CRISIS: THE RISE OF CLIMATE CHANGE JUSTICE MOVEMENT.

Reading
a.      Giord C. (2007); 21st Century Dissent:  Anarchism, Anti-Globalisation and Environmentalism.  Chapter 4.
b.       Jacklyn C. (2012)” “The Challenge of Ecological Transformation in Post-Apathered South Africa: The Re-emergence of an Environmental Justice Movement”
c.      Gregory A. “The Limits of Eco-Localism: Scale, Strategy, Socialism”.
d.      Reymond Williams Socialism and Ecology
FOR DISCUSSION
a.      Discussion on reading No. A and B above.

12.       CONCLUSION I: PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SEMINAR RESEARCH PAPERS BY STUDENTS

13.       CONCLUSION II: CLOSING UP BY LOOKING AT OUR EXPERIENCE DURING THE SEMESTER

ADDITIONAL READING
1-     Norman J.V. and Michael E. K. (eds.) (2003). Environmental Policy: New Directions for the Twenty First Century
2-     James Salzman et al (2003). Environmental Law and Policy
3-     Richard H.W. (1974). Environment and Man
4-     Pamela S.C. et al (2010). Global Environmental Politics


COURSE REQUIREMENT
-         Evaluation of students will be based on end of the semester examination (70%) and CA (30%)
-         The last 30 minutes of each lecture period will be for a review and discussion of any relevant text, discussion of  a disputed idea, debate on any relevant issue about the course.
-         On the CA students will be required to do so many things:
a.      Weekly assignment: this is as important as the final examination, it is uncompromising as any student who failed to do one will miss all the points earmarked for class work.
b.      A seminar small research project
c.      A small research project response paper
d.      Working group discussion would be organised during class hours
e.      A supervised test – one which test effective performance of students in learning
f.       Class attendance is a compulsory requirement
-         In order to build competence and skills in academic work, you would be expected to improve on usage of ICT for learning. Make use of Munro and Rosanna which was distributed at Level II.
-         The relationship between students on the one hand and students with the teacher on the other hand determine a successful programme for development of knowledge. So, among you the students talk to each other. Then with your teacher, there should be no fear. Learning and fear are incompatible.
-         Other things you are hereby advised on are:
a.      Plagiarism in academic exercise will not be tolerated.
b.      Engage by active participation, by asking questions, making observation and comments as this is the best way of learning.
c.      There are on my blog Online, many different materials showing how to improve quality of learning and research. You are required to access them.
d.      Finally, my watch word for you is to be critical. Ruthless criticism of everything that exist as Karl Marx said is a guarantee to knowledge. There is no absolute truth. Make your contribution and leave for others.

POL 2204 – FOUNDATION OF POLITICAL ECONOMY



BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGMENT SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE





POL 2204 – FOUNDATION OF POLITICAL ECONOMY




INSTRUCTOR: MUAZU M. YUSIF




ACADEMIC YEAR
2015/2016
SECOND SEMESTER



mmyusif58@yahoo.com

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

Political Economy is both a Science and an Art.  The Art may be focused with explanatory light i.e theory and will become a science.

However, there has been much controversy among scholars as to what is Political Economy?.  The answer to this problem cannot be found except in theory.

The science has made great advance in generating concepts, methods, theories and approaches to explain the changes and transformation of human society.

Grand theories are in contest of ideas with each other. At any historical moment one becomes the dominant paradigm.  The current globalisation promotes the theories and concepts of classical and neo-classical Political Economy.  Therefore, the Marxian tradition, very influential in the science is generally being relegated.

Marxian Political Economy arises out of the controversy with Bourgeoisie perspective.  As a whole, the Marxian tradition is an integrative method informed by theory and practice of working-class self self-emancipation as well as Marxist labour theory of value.

However, the current global changes have produced uncertainty and chaos in Marxist theory to the extent that there are new theories and thoughts emerging everyday from the Marxian perspective.

Our intension is to understand these new thoughts in Marxian Theory.  Consequently, we are going to ask many questions such as; is Marx relevant to our world of the Twenty-first Century? What does revolutionary politics mean in the era of globalisation? Is there imperialism today? Etc.

In order to understand these and similar questions, we would study some works on the thought of Marx.  Many of these works by Marx himself and some analyses of these works by others.  Therefore, we would not be saying that everything by Marx or about Marx is the only truth.  This will defeat the essence of learning by inhibiting the dialogue necessary for learning and research.

Finally, by way of an advice of a teacher to his students, let me speak in the thinking and words of Karl Marx that “there is only one royal road to science”.  This road is that work hard.

The programme may not be simple but just try your best you have come here to learn so try to learn something.  A process of learning brings self-transformation.  So be it.

TOPICS TO BE TREATED

1.     General Introduction
2.     Political Economy: What is it and What is it not
3.     History, Concepts and Theoretical Perspectives
4.     Marx, Marxism and the question of methods
5.     Marx’s Concept of Value and Capitalist Critique
6.     Reading Marx from Political Science
7.     Continues Relevance of Marxist Theory in the Current era of Globalisation
8.     Capital in the 21st Century
9.     Marxist theory, Globalisation and Class divisions
10.                        Marxism, Globalisation and State
11.                        Marx theory, Globalisation and Imperialism
12.                        Globalisation, Revolution politics and Socialism
13.                        Neo-Liberalism, Marxism and Anarchism
14.                        Gramsci in Today’s Political landscape
15.                        Marxism politics and Ideology in Nigeria
16.                        Conclusion

RECOMMENDED READING

1.     Mauro C. and Rosanna D. (2007); "E-Research: An Introduction to Online Political Science Source for Beginners and Sceptics”.  IPSR.
2.     Beckman B. “Political Science and Political Economy”.  In Barongo Y. (1978); Political Science in Africa: A Critical Review.
3.     Eskor Toye; “Primary Requirements for the Unity of Political and Economics.”  In Barongo Op. Cit.
4.     G.A. Kozlov, Political Economy: Capitalism. Chapter 1 and 4.
5.     Earnest Mandel, Marxist Economic Theory.  Chapter 18.
6.     James E. A. And Albato A. "Political Economy: An Overview.” In Robert E.G. and Klingermann (eds.).  Handbook of New Political Science.
7.     Paul M. S. The Theory of Capitalist Development.  Chapter 1 and 4.
8.     Bade Onimode; Introduction to Marxist Political Economy.  Chapters; 1, 2, 4, 5 and 11.
9.     Karl Marx, “Preface to a Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy.” In Selected Works, Vol. 1.
10.                        Engels, Anti - Duhring Pgs 181 – 194.
11.                        Karl Marx, Alienated Labor.
12.                        Karl Marx, Commodities and Fetishism of Commodities.
13.                        Pierre Jalee, How Capitalism works Chapters; 12, 13 and             14.
14.                        Lucio Colletti, Marxism: Science or Revolution.
15.                        Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, Manifesto of the Communist of Party.
16.                        Chu V.C. “Marx and Engels on Economic Globalisation”.
17.                        John G. “What’s New what’s Global what’s Marxism at     the end of the 20th Century.
18.                        Thomas Piketty, Capital in the Twenty – First Century.
19.                        Alejandro Calos, “The Class Politics of Globalisation.”
20.                        William I. R. And Jerry H. “Towards a Global Ruling-Class: Globalisation and Transnational Capitalist Class”.
21.                        Lenin, State and Revolution.
22.                        William I. R. Capitalist Globalisation and Transnational State.
23.                        Lenin, Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism.
24.                        Anthony Brewer, Theories of Imperialism: A Critical Review.
25.                        James P. And Henry V. Globalisation Unmasked: Imperialism in the 21st Century.
26.                        Salert B. “Revolutions and Revolutionaries”.
27.                        John Foran (eds.). The Future of Revolutions: Rethinking             Radical Change in the Age of Globalisation.
28.                        Frider o. Revolution Today: Three Reflections.
29.                        James Pedras, “The Struggle for Socialism Today”.
30.                        John H. Change the World without Taking Power.
31.                        Richard J.F. Gramsci is Dead: Anarchist currents in the      Newest Social Movements.
32.                        Lucien V. and Michael S. Black Flame: “The Revolutionary Class Politics of Anarchism and Syndicalism.
33.                        Simutary N. “Neo-Liberalism and the Relevance of             Marxism to Africa: The Case of Zambia.
34.                        Stave E. “Left Goals and the Debate over Anti-neo-liberal Strategy in Latin America”.
35.                        Vicki B. “Contesting the Hegemony of Market Ideology: Gramscis Good Sense and Polanyi’s Double Movement.
36.                        Anne S.S., “A New Concept of Politics and the Expansion of Democracy.” In Alan Hunt (ed.). Marxism and Democracy.
37.                        Martin C. The State and Political Theory. Chapter 3.
38.                        Eaton J. Political Economy Pgs 1 - 17.
39.                        Mesxerem, “The Marxist – Leninist Concept of Political     Economy.
40.                        Sergeillym and Molytev.  What is Political Economy?.
41.                        Karl Marx, Economic and Philosophical Manuscript.
42.                        Karl Marx, The German Ideology.
43.                        Karl Marx, Grundrisse.
44.                        Karl Marx, The Poverty of Philosophy.
45.                        Engels, Outlines of a Critique of Political Economy.
46.                        Nancy Frases, A Future for Marxism.

COURSE REQUIREMENT

§  Evaluation of students will be based on end of Semester Examination (70%) and Continuos Assessment (30%).
§  The last 30 minutes of each period will be for a review of any relevant text or discussion of a disputed idea.
§  On the C.A., student will be required to do so many things:
a.     Weekly assignment which is mandatory;
b.     A group small research project;
c.      Small research project response paper;
d.     Working group discussion will be organised during class hours;
e.     A supervised test to review effective performance of students in learning; and
f.       Class attendance is a compulsory requirement.

In order to build competence and skills in work, you will be expected to become familiar on usage of ICT for learning.  Make use of recommendations of Munro and Rosanna.

The relationship between students on the one hand and students with the teacher on the other hand determine a successful teaching, learning and research programme for development of knowledge.  So, between you the students talk to each.  Then with your teachers, there should be no fear.  Fear and learning are incompatible.



Other things you need to observe are:-

a.     Plagiarism and any other academic dishonesty will not be tolerated;
b.     Secondly, active participation by asking questions, making observation and comments is the best way of learning which each students is advised to use;
c.      Thirdly, on my blogspot Online, there are many different materials showing how to improve quality of learning.  So, you are required to access them; and
d.     Finally, my watch word for you is, be critical, ruthless criticism of everything that exist as Karl Marx said.  In knowledge there is no absolute truth.  Make your contribution.




M . M. YUSIF
JULY 2016