Culture, nature and Development
Code: 101258 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500256 Social and Cultural Anthropology | FB | 1 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Irina Casado Aijon
- Email:
- irina.casado@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Teachers
- Irina Casado Aijon
Prerequisites
It is recommended that students have studied the Basic Concepts in Anthropology of the First Semester.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The subject "Nature, Culture and Development" is a first approach to the relationship between the nature-culture binomial in order to place it in the tradition of Western thought and not as a human universal.
From the approach of Anthropology as a theoretical and practical science, students are offered an approach and a disciplinary look at conceptions and representations of the link between nature and culture from two perspectives: historical and ethnographic. It is for this reason that the subject is structured around a theoretical but at the same time ethnographic part where the presentation of empirical cases will provide students with examples of research, ethnographic analysis and anthropological application in contexts where nature and development are key. .
Students are expected to be able to develop a critical and constructive approach to intervention practices on nature and also on development models driven by Western world policies and, at the same time, to be aware of the ethnographic cases that will serve us. of example of how the human being is related to his environment.
The training objectives are as follows:
Ask questions about the culture-society-nature / human-nonhuman relationship over time and in different cultures.
Express comparative points of view between Western Society and other types of societies.
Analyze texts, documents, exhibitions and audiovisuals.
Have conceptual, theoretical and analytical tools to evaluate development projects, cooperation and also alternatives to development.
Competences
- Apprehending cultural diversity through ethnography and critically assessing ethnographic materials as knowledge of local contexts and as a proposal of theoretical models.
- Demonstrate skills for working autonomously or in teams to achieve the planned objectives including in multicultural and interdisciplinary contexts.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Take account of social, economic and environmental impacts when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
Learning Outcomes
- Identifying the theories about human species in their relation to society and culture production.
- Identifying the various relationship processes between human populations and their environment.
- Interpreting the relationships between different societies and cultures by applying the specific notions of Anthropology.
- Interpreting today's main events from physical, economic, social and cultural diversity.
- Knowing and understanding the culture's influence in the various institutional systems of environmental intervention.
- Plan work effectively, individually or in groups, in order to fulfil the planned objectives.
- Propose ways to evaluate projects and actions for improving sustainability.
- Recognising the cultural nature of nature and society conceptualizations.
Content
Block 1. Nature and Culture: a history of Western thought
1. The sociocultural construction of reality
2. Nature and culture: a Western dichotomy
3. The perception of nature in the course of history
4. Nature in non-Western forms of thought
Block 2. Ethnographic cases
Nature, culture and
1. Perceptions of landscapes: Valls d’Àneu (Pallars Sobirà)
2. Identity: Scandinavia (Norway), turpentine (Vansa-Tuixent Valley)
3. Beliefs, symbolism and ritual: neopaganism.
4. Introduction of species: bear, wolf and otter.
5. Ecosystems, ecology and livelihoods
6. Consequences of climate change
7. Ecotourism, neoruralism
8. “Domesticated” nature - “Wild” nature: Zoos, nature parks, museums, gardens and mazes, wild animals: cultured nature
Block 3. Development, cooperation and alternatives to development
1. The Development Paradigm. Origin, proposals and practices. Models of nature as sociocultural constructs in the framework of power relations: from colonialism to political ecologicalism. Development models. Nature rights?
2. NGOs, development projects, nature protection figures
3. Alternative proposals to development: ecofeminism, Sumak Kawsay, degrowth, ecodevelopment, bioculture, natural heritage.
Methodology
During the course there will be: theoretical classes and activities led by the teacher. Search for documentation, reading texts, writing papers. Written evaluation. This through: theoretical and practical classes with the support of ICT and group discussions. Presentation of practical experiences of sociocultural and environmental intervention. Viewing and debating audiovisuals and texts.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Theoretical classes and documentary viewings and activities in classroom | 50 | 2 | 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 8 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Debates in the class, supervision of the work in group, individual or grupal tutorships | 20 | 0.8 | 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 8 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Study, reading, analysis, criticism of texts and documentaries in the classroom, preparation of debates, writing of works | 60 | 2.4 | 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 8 |
Assessment
Both the final exam and the exam on reading a monograph will be compulsory to pass the subject.
All the activities that make up the assessment with the exception of classroom activities will be recoverable on the official date set for Recovery.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities in classrroom | 10% | 5 | 0.2 | 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 7, 8 |
| Presentation of an ethnographic case in group work | 20% | 2 | 0.08 | 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 8 |
| Reviews: artícles and film | 20% | 10 | 0.4 | 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6, 7, 8 |
| Test based in a monography reading | 20% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 5, 2, 4, 3, 6, 7, 8 |
| Written final test based on classes, conferences and videos | 30% | 1.5 | 0.06 | 2, 4, 3, 8 |
Bibliography
NARROS LLUCH, A. (2016) La comedia de la cooperación internacional. Historias etnográficas del desarrollo en la isla de Camiguin (Filipinas). Madrid: Catarata i Instituto Universitario de Desarrollo y Cooperación.
Main References
COHEN, M.P. (1984) Entre osos, coyotes y glaciares. John Muir, el hombre de los Parques Nacionales americanos. Buenos Aires: Editorial Fraterna.
DESCOLA, Ph. – PÁLSSON, G. (eds.) (1996) Nature and Society. Anthropological perspectives. London&New York: Routledge.
Versió en castellà a l’editorial Siglo XXI.
DESCOLA, Ph. (2003) Antropología de la naturaleza. Lima: Lluvia Editores & Instituto francés de estudios andinos.
DESCOLA, Ph. Más allá de naturaleza y cultura. Madrid&Buenos Aires: Amorrortu.
INGOLD, T. (1987) The appropriation of nature. Essays on human ecology and social relations. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
INGOLD, T. (2000) The perception of the environment. Essays in livelihood, dwelling and skill. London&New York: Routledge.
INGOLD, T. – LEE, J. (eds.) (2008) Ways of walking. Ethnography and practice on foot. Surrey: Ashgate.
KOTTAK, Conrad Phillip (2002) Antropología cultural. Espejo para la humanidad. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
MUIR, J. (2004) Viajes por Alaska. Madrid: Desnivel Ediciones.
MUIR, J. (2018 [1909-1913]) Escritos sobre Naturaleza. Madrid: Capitán Swing.
TEICH, M. – PORTER, R. – GUSTAFSSON, B. (eds.) (1997) Nature and Society in a historical context. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
THOREAU, D.H. (2011 [1854]) Walden, o la vida als boscos. Sant Cugat del Vallès: Símbol Editors.
Links
Proyecto Albarradas: http://www.albarradas.espol.edu.ec/
Grup GIRHAC:
http://www.uab.es/servlet/Satellite/la-investigacion/grupos-1263801907184.html
Esteban Krotz Pasos para el estudio y la exposición de un texto antropológico, a: UAM-Iztapalapa, Departamento de Antropología
http://uam-antropologia.info/web/content/view/262/72/
General References
Álvarez, Silvia
2001 “El manejo colectivo de los recursos naturales en la Península de Santa Elena”a Revista Procesos, ESPOL, Guayaquil.
2002 “La vieja historia del control y la competencia por los recursos en territorios indígenas” a Etnicidades de la costa ecuatoriana, Abya-Yala, Quito.
Bonfil Batalla, Guillermo
1982 “El etnodesarrollo: sus premisas jurídicas, políticas y de organización” a F. Rojas Aravena (ed), America Latina, etnodesarrollo y etnocidio, FLACSO, San José de Costa Rica.
Bretón, Víctor
2005 “¿Qué fue de los subproyectos PRODEPINE? Impresiones desde el campo” a Capital social y etnodesarrollo en los Andes, Estudios sociales, CAAP, Quito.
Carrere, Ricardo
2009 “El desarrollo de los bosques” a El Buen Vivir. Una vía para el desarrollo, A. Acosta y E. Martinez (Comps), Abya-Yala, Quito.
Comas d’Argemir, Dolors
1998 “Ecología política y antropología económica. Enfoques, debates” a Antropología económica, Ed. Ariel, Barcelona.
Escobar, Arturo
1999 “Antropología y desarrollo” a Maguaré 14:42-73, Bogotá.
2000 “El lugar de la naturaleza y la naturaleza del lugar: globalización o posdesarrollo” a Andreu Viola (comp.) Antropología del Desarrollo. Teorías y estudios etnográficos en America Latina, Paidós eds, Barcelona.
Esteva, Gustavo
1988 “Detener la ayuda y el desarrollo: una respuesta al hambre” a Autosuficiencia alimentaria, una perspectiva antropológica, SERBAL/UNESCO, Barcelona.
2008 “Comer o comernos” a http://www.jornada. UNAM.mx/2008/05/19/index.php
Gudynas, Eduardo
2009 “Seis puntos clave en ambiente y desarrollo” a El Buen Vivir. Una vía para el desarrollo, A. Acosta y E. Martinez (Comps.), Abya-Yala, Quito.
Jackson, Jane
1996 “¿Existe una manera de hablar sobre hacer cultura sin hacer enemigos?” a F. Santos Granero (comp.), Globalización y cambio en la Amazonía indígena, Vol. I, Flacso-Biblioteca Abya-Yala Nº37, Quito, pp.439-472.
Juliano, Dolores
1988 “Un Dios a nuestra imagen y semejanza: el mito del buen colonizador” a V Centenario del descubrimiento: historia de un genocidio, Langaiak, 1988 (11):17-27.
Juncosa, José E. (complilador)
1996 “II Parte Textos indígenes” a Los guardianes de la tierra. Los indígenas y su relación con el medio ambiente, Colección 500 años 14, Abya-Yala-MLAL, Quito. Pp.223-263.
Lander, Edgardo,
2009 “Hacia otra noción de riqueza” a El Buen Vivir. Una vía para el desarrollo, A. Acosta y E. Martinez (Comps.), Abya-Yala, Quito.
Larrea, Cristina Killinger y Mónica Martínez Mauri
2010 “La Antropología social en España: desarrollo y cooperación internacional”, a Martínez Mauri, M. i C. Larrea K., Antropología social, desarrollo y cooperación internacional. Introducción a los fundamentos básicos y debates actuales, Editorial UOC, Barcelona, pp. 52-114.
Latouche, Serge
2009 “Manifiesto de la Red por el Postdesarrollo” a Decrecimiento y posdesarrollo. El pensamiento creativo contra la economía del absurdo, El Viejo Topo, Barcelona.
Leff, Enrique
1998 Prefaci i Cap.1 “Globalización, ambiente y sutentabilidad del desarrollo, Deuda financiera, deuda ecológica, deuda de la razón” a Saber Ambiental. Sustentabilidad, racionalidad, complejidad, poder, Siglo XXI editores, PNUMA, Madrid, Pàgs. 9-29.
Leff, Enrique
“¿Dos caras de la misma moneda?” a: http://www.tierramerica.nte/economia/doscaras.shtml
Llistar Bosch, David
2009 “Anticooperación ambiental y deuda ecológica” a Anticooperación. Interferencias Norte-Sur. Los problemas del Sur no se resuelven con más ayuda internacional. Icaria 309 Antrazyt Relaciones Norte-Sur, Barcelona 2009.
Martinez Novo, Carmen
1999 “Empresas mixtecas “desarrollo” y poder en una cooperativa indígena en la frontera México-Estados Unidos”, a J.C. Gimeno i P. Monreal (eds.), La controversia del desarrollo. Críticas desde la antropología, Los libros de la catarata, Madrid.
Petras, James
“Las dos caras de las ONG” a: http://spie.pangea.org/cint/documentos/
Posey, Darrell A.
1996 “Los Kayapó y la naturaleza” a Juncosa, José E. (compilador), Los guardianes de la tierra. Los indígenas y su relación con el medio ambiente, Colección500 años ·14, Abya-Yala-MLAL, Quito. Pp.35-51.
Posey, Darrell A. i Anthony B. Anderson
1996 “Forestación indígena” a Juncosa, José E. (compilador), Los guardianes de la tierra. Los indígenas y su relación con el medio ambiente, Colección 500 años ·14, Abya-Yala-MLAL, Quito. Pp.51-62.
Sepúlveda, Luis
2008 Un viejo que leía novelas de amor. Barcelona, (primera edició 1989, Premi Tigre Juan de Novel·la).
Turner, Terence
1996 “El desafío de las imágenes. La apropiación Kayapo del vídeo” a F. Santos Granero (Comp.), Globalización y cambio en la amazonía indígena (Vol.1), Biblioteca Abya-Yala-FLACSO 37, Quito, pps. 398-438 .
Viola Recasens, Andreu (comp.)
2000 “La crisis del desarrollismo y el surgimiento de la antropología del desarrollo” a Viola, A. (comp.), Antropología del Desarrollo. Teorías y estudios etnográficos en America Latina, Paidós eds, Barcelona, pp. 9-64.
Wray, Norman
2009 “Los retos del régimen de desarrollo. El Buen Vivir en la Constitución” a El Buen Vivir. Una vía para el desarrollo, A. Acosta y E. Martínez (Comps), Abya-Yala, Quito.
Articles:
El Buen Vivir. Una vía para el desarrollo, Alberto Acosta y Esperanza Martínez (Comps.), Abya-Yala, Quito, 2009.
Derechos de la Naturaleza. El futuro es ahora, Alberto Acosta y Esperanza Martínez (Comps.), Abya-Yala, Quito, 2009.
La naturaleza con derechos. De la filosofía a la política, Alberto AcostayEsperanza Martínez (Comps.), Abya-Yala, Quito, 2011.
Buen vivir. Sumak kawsay. Una oportunidad para imaginar otros mundos, Alberto Acosta, Abya-Yala, Quito, 2012.
Dictionaries:
AADD (1993) Diccionari d’Antropologia. Barcelona, TERMCAT.
BONTE, P. i IZARD, M. (2008 [1991]) Etnología y Antropología. Madrid: Akal.
Software
Word processor (Word type), Powerpoint.