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.
