Universität Wien

240019 SE VM1 / VM2 - 'Critical Metals' in the Socio-Ecological Transformation (2024W)

Processes, Actors, and Financial Dynamics

7.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Mo 25.11. 09:00-12:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Attention: At the end of the seminar, we will meet in blocked sessions!

  • Monday 14.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 28.10. 09:00 - 12:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 11.11. 09:00 - 12:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Monday 09.12. 11:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Friday 13.12. 08:00 - 15:00 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar will explore the crucial intersection of socio-ecological transformations, related ‘green’ policies, and metal markets. This complex and problematic relation presents a sustainability contradiction as efforts towards socio-ecological transformations are paired with an increased demand for so-called ‘critical metals’, which underlie ‘green’ technologies (e.g., electric vehicles, batteries, photovoltaics, wind turbines). Crucially, this leads to a ‘green’ extractivist dynamic, feeding into and exacerbating existing global inequalities, as the majority of ‘critical metals’ are mined in the Global South, with often negative social, environmental and economic outcomes for producer countries and their populations.

Teaching and readings will focus on critical engagement with global value chains (GVCs)/global production networks (GPNs) of ‘critical metals’ in the context of socio-ecological transformations. We will delve into the key actors, processes and struggles in ‘critical metals’ GVCs/GPNs and discuss the pivotal role that financial interests and actors play in these markets, also in the context of ‘green finance’. The seminar will have four parts – (1) introduction to the topic and theoretical background, (2) ‘critical metal’ markets and socio-ecological transformations, (3) financialisation and green finance in ‘critical metals’, and (4) case studies on specific ‘critical metals’ and their development outcomes.

The seminar participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the main debates around ‘critical metal’ trade, socio-ecological transformations and financial markets, and and apply the acquired knowledge to case studies of specific ‘critical metals’. Upon completion of this seminar, students should:
- Understand key theoretical frameworks related to global commodity trade, metal GVCs/GPNs and green extractivism.
- Get insights into metal markets, including governance, actors and struggles, and financialisation dynamics in metals markets and green finance.
- Explain key debates surrounding ‘critical metals’ trade and socio-ecological transformations and related development outcomes.
- Develop analytical skills to map GVCs/GPNs of metals and critically evaluate relations between commodity trade, financial markets, and development outcomes.
- Critically assess the effectiveness and contradictions of current ‘green’ policies in the context of green extractivism.
- Analyse case studies of specific ‘critical metals’ and provide constructive feedback on case studies presented by peers.

The learning objectives will be achieved through:
- Lectures: Providing foundational knowledge and theoretical frameworks.
- Readings: Readings uploaded on Moodle to be completed before each session.
- Critical text statements/commentaries: Reflecting texts and topics read and discussed in class, including learning of how to critically assess texts.
- In-class discussions: Encouraging active engagement with readings and lecture topics.
- Case study presentations: Group analysis of selected ‘critical metals to apply knowledge gained throughout the seminar and through students’ own research to real-world contexts.
- Feedback: Constructive feedback provided to and received from peers and lecturers following presentations.

Assessment and permitted materials

The seminar is planned to take place in class and students are expected to participate in class.

During the seminar, students will read and discuss critical texts (academic papers, articles, blogs, etc.) on the topic, current debates, theoretical backgrounds and practical cases. Students need to read the texts before class. For some texts, a group of students will prepare a short presentation on key arguments of the text as a basis for discussion in class. For other texts, students will prepare a written half page commentary, discussing key arguments of and comments on the text as well as developing around 3 key questions related to each text as a basis for discussion in class. Groups of students will further watch videos/documentaries related to the topic of the class and give short presentations in class as a basis for a comparative critical discussion.

Groups of students will further give presentations and write seminar papers focusing on specific ‘critical metal’ case studies. The students will present the outcomes of their case study research in around 20-minute presentation in class, in order to apply the knowledge gained in the seminar and through independent research in group to critically analyse a ‘critical metals’ in real-world contexts. After the presentations, fellow students and the lecturers will provide constructive feedback to the presenters in an in-class discussion.

The last session will end with a reflection and feedback on the seminar.

Attention: At the end of the seminar, we will meet in blocked sessions!

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students are expected to have basic knowledge of development economics and global value chains (GVCs)/global production networks (GPNs).

All written tasks need to be uploaded in the respective folder on Moodle until midday (12.00) before the day of the class.

- Reading of the required texts for each session before class (individual work). Attention: 3 texts will need to be read before the first session, including the writing of critical commentaries on these texts and the uploading of those before the first session!
- Preparation of a short presentation on key arguments, comments and questions for some texts (group work).
- Preparation of written commentaries on key arguments of and comments on some texts (1/2 page) in addition to 3 questions related to each text (individual work).
- Writing of a short critical review of the movie (2 pages, individual work).
- Conducting independent research (with support of the lecturers) and preparing and giving a presentation on a ‘critical metals’ case study (group work).
- Writing a seminar paper (group work).
- Giving feedback to the presentation of another group (group work).
- Regular appearance and active participation in the seminar and the discussions (individual work). Attention: At the end of the seminar, we will meet in blocked sessions!

Examination topics

Reading list

The complete literature list will be introduced in the first session and made available on the Moodle-platform.

Attention: As we start with a double session where we already want to dive into the content of the seminar, 3 texts will have to be read before the first session. They are (available at Moodle or here):
• Bair, J. (2005). Global Capitalism and Commodity Chains: Looking Back, Going Forward. Competition & Change, 9(2), 153–180. https://doi.org/10.1179/102452905X45382
• Dorn, F., & Huber, C. (2020). Global production networks and natural resource extraction. Adding a political ecology perspective, Geographica Helvetica, 75, 183–193. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-75-183-2020
• Bridge, G. (2008). Global production networks and the extractive sector: Governing resource-based development. Journal of Economic Geography, 8(3), 389–419. https://doi.org/10.1093/jeg/lbn009

Association in the course directory

VM1 / VM2; MA Globalgeschichte und Global Studies, Modul Vertiefung 2

Last modified: We 18.09.2024 11:06