240042 SE BM7 FbSE "Contested Nature": Environmental Conflicts from a Politcal-Ecological Perspective (2025W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Anwesenheitspflicht in der ersten Einheit!
Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.
Plagiierte oder erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis). Es kommt die Plagiatssoftware Turnitin zum Einsatz.
Die Verwendung von KI-Tools (z. B. ChatGPT) zur Erbringung von Teilleistungen ist nur dann erlaubt, wenn dies von der Lehrveranstaltungsleitung ausdrücklich gefordert wird.
Die Lehrveranstaltungsleitung kann Studierende zu einem notenrelevanten Gespräch über erbrachte Teilleistungen einladen.
Plagiierte oder erschlichene Teilleistungen führen zur Nichtbewertung der Lehrveranstaltung (Eintragung eines 'X' im Sammelzeugnis). Es kommt die Plagiatssoftware Turnitin zum Einsatz.
Die Verwendung von KI-Tools (z. B. ChatGPT) zur Erbringung von Teilleistungen ist nur dann erlaubt, wenn dies von der Lehrveranstaltungsleitung ausdrücklich gefordert wird.
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).
- Registration is open from Mo 01.09.2025 00:01 to Mo 22.09.2025 23:59
- Deregistration possible until Mo 20.10.2025 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: German
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
Exkursion am 27.10.2025 in ein Waldgebiet in Wöllersdorf, Niederösterreich (Exkursion zählt im Falle eines Fehlens als reguläre Doppeleinheit)
- Monday 06.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
- Monday 20.10. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
- Monday 27.10. 09:00 - 16:00 Ort in u:find Details
- Monday 24.11. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
- Monday 15.12. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
- Monday 19.01. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
- Monday 26.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
In times of escalating socio-ecological crises, "nature" and its societal appropriation are heavily contested. From disputes over the access to and control of natural resources to conflicts regarding the "correct" interpretation and definition of "nature" to tensions over conflicting land-use claims.The following research seminar aims to understand specific environmental and land-use-related conflicts from a political-ecological perspective and to learn how to ethnographically research and analyze their causes, dynamics, power relations, and actor constellations. The focus of the course (in keeping with the concept of a "research-based" seminar) is a short ethnographic (individual/group) research project in and around Vienna, in which, after consultation with the course leader, a self-selected environmental/land-use/nature conservation conflict area will be explored, ethnographically researched, and political-ecologically analyzed.Structure and Method: Following a conceptual and theoretical section, which focuses on introducing political ecology as an approach to environmental anthropology, a full-day excursion to a forested area in the southern Vienna Basin will take place on October 27th. During this excursion, the instructor will provide insights into how environmental anthropology and/or political ecology (using a multi-species approach) can be used for research. (Information about this will be provided in the session on October 6th; participation is encouraged.) Starting in November, parallel to the classroom sessions (and in dialogue with the instructor), the short research projects will be conducted. Key findings from these projects will be presented in the sessions in December and January and discussed with the help of current literature. Building on this, a final project (seminar paper, short film, EJ entry, etc.) can then be submitted individually or in a group setting.Note: Previous knowledge of environmental anthropology and/or political ecology is advantageous, but not required to participate in this seminar. However, an interest in socio-ecological issues and more-than-human creatures is required.
Assessment and permitted materials
For a positive assessment, the following components must be met in addition to the minimum requirements (see below):1) Reading of the five required texts (and submission of reading notes), submitting two out of three assignments and active participation in the course
2) Conducting, documenting, and presenting an ethnographic political-ecological individual or group research project (alternatively: working with existing international case studies, e.g., from the Environmental Justice Atlas); this includes: developing a project idea, research question, methodology as well as documentation, writing a short research/reflection report, and presenting the results/findings of one's own research)
3) A written/multimodal final project (preferably in the form of a seminar paper or an ethnographic video with the same workload, etc.)All resources that serve the course objectives and with which the students have been introduced during the course may be used.
2) Conducting, documenting, and presenting an ethnographic political-ecological individual or group research project (alternatively: working with existing international case studies, e.g., from the Environmental Justice Atlas); this includes: developing a project idea, research question, methodology as well as documentation, writing a short research/reflection report, and presenting the results/findings of one's own research)
3) A written/multimodal final project (preferably in the form of a seminar paper or an ethnographic video with the same workload, etc.)All resources that serve the course objectives and with which the students have been introduced during the course may be used.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
This course requires regular attendance by participants for discussion of required texts, partial assignments, and for group presentations and small group exercises. Unexcused absences of up to three 90-minute sessions (equivalent to 80% attendance throughout the entire semester) are permitted. Absences beyond this scope without a valid reason communicated to the course instructor will result in a negative grade. Attendance at the first teaching unit is required (for admission to the course, allocation of remaining places, group assignment, group dynamics, etc.)
Furthermore, the minimum requirement is the completion of all partial assignments and the achievement of at least 60% of the allotted points for each of these partial assignments.A total of 100 points can be achieved for all assessment-relevant components, which are broken down as follows:- Reading the required literature (5 texts + submission of 5 reading notes; see required literature) and writing two of three freely selectable assignments (essays, summaries): 20 points
- Preparation, implementation, documentation, reflection, and presentation of a short ethnographic (individual or group) research project (alternatively: a remote conflict analysis): 40 points (10 points for concept/preparation, 10 points for implementation and documentation, 10 points for reflection/data analysis, and 10 points for presentation of the results)
- Written/multimodal final project based on the short research project (e.g., in the form of a written seminar paper, an ethnographic short film, etc.): 40 pointsAssessment criteria are:
• Completion of all components on time and in accordance with the specifications,
• The completeness, quality of content, and formal correctness of the components.Compliance with the rules of good scientific practice is essential.Grading key:
91 – 100 points = 1 (very good)
81 – 90 points = 2 (good)
71 – 80 points = 3 (satisfactory)
61 – 70 points = 4 (sufficient)
0 – 60 points = 5 (unsatisfactory)
Furthermore, the minimum requirement is the completion of all partial assignments and the achievement of at least 60% of the allotted points for each of these partial assignments.A total of 100 points can be achieved for all assessment-relevant components, which are broken down as follows:- Reading the required literature (5 texts + submission of 5 reading notes; see required literature) and writing two of three freely selectable assignments (essays, summaries): 20 points
- Preparation, implementation, documentation, reflection, and presentation of a short ethnographic (individual or group) research project (alternatively: a remote conflict analysis): 40 points (10 points for concept/preparation, 10 points for implementation and documentation, 10 points for reflection/data analysis, and 10 points for presentation of the results)
- Written/multimodal final project based on the short research project (e.g., in the form of a written seminar paper, an ethnographic short film, etc.): 40 pointsAssessment criteria are:
• Completion of all components on time and in accordance with the specifications,
• The completeness, quality of content, and formal correctness of the components.Compliance with the rules of good scientific practice is essential.Grading key:
91 – 100 points = 1 (very good)
81 – 90 points = 2 (good)
71 – 80 points = 3 (satisfactory)
61 – 70 points = 4 (sufficient)
0 – 60 points = 5 (unsatisfactory)
Examination topics
See the partial assignments listed above.
Reading list
Pflichtliteratur/Required Reading:
Barua, Maan (2022): “Feral Ecologies: The Making of Postcolonial Nature in London.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 28 (3): 896–919. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13653.
Dietz, Kristina und Bettina Engels (2022): "Konflikt". In: Gottschlich, Daniela et al. (Hg.), Handbuch Politische Ökologie. Bielefeld: transcript Verlag: 407-412. https://doi.org/10.14361/9783839456279-039
Karlsson, Bengt (2015): Political Ecology: Anthropological Perspectives. In: Wright, James D. (Hg.): International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Second Edition, Volume 18. Elsevier, Oxford: 350-355.
Nightingale, Andrea J. (2016): “Adaptive Scholarship and Situated Knowledges? Hybrid Methodologies and Plural Epistemologies in Climate Change Adaptation Research.” Area 48 (1): 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12195.
Van Dooren, Thom/Kirksey, Eben und Ursula Münster (2016): “Multispecies Studies: Cultivating Arts of Attentiveness.” Environmental Humanities 8 (1): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1215/22011919-3527695.Empfohlen:
Barua, Maan. 2014. “Volatile Ecologies: Towards a Material Politics of Human—Animal Relations.” Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space 46 (6): 1462–78. https://doi.org/10.1068/a46138.
Head, Lesley, Jennifer Atchison, Catherine Phillips, and Kathleen Buckingham. 2014. “Vegetal Politics: Belonging, Practices and Places.” Social & Cultural Geography 15 (8): 861–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2014.973900.
Jones, Owain. 2011. “Materiality and Identity – Forests, Trees and Senses of Belonging.” In New Perspectives on People and Forests, edited by Eva Ritter and Dainis Dauksta, 9:159–77. World Forests. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1150-1_11.
Kirksey, S. Eben, and Stefan Helmreich. 2010. “THE EMERGENCE OF MULTISPECIES ETHNOGRAPHY.” Cultural Anthropology 25 (4): 545–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1360.2010.01069.x.
Kohn, Eduardo. 2013. How Forests Think: Toward an Anthropology beyond the Human. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Ogden, Laura, Billy Hall, and Kimiko Tanita. 2013. “Animals, Plants, People, and Things: A Review of Multispecies Ethnography.” Environment and Society: Advances in Research 4 (December):5–24. https://doi.org/10.3167/ares.2013.040102.
Paulson, Susan/Gezon, Lisa L./Watts, Michael (2005): Politics, Ecologies, Genealogies. In: Paulson, Susan/Gezon, Lisa L. (Hg.): Political Ecology across Spaces, Scales, and Social Groups. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick/New Jersey/London: 17-37.
Robbins, Paul (2012): Political Ecology: A Critical Introduction. Blackwell, Oxford.
Tsing, Anna L. (2015): The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Barua, Maan (2022): “Feral Ecologies: The Making of Postcolonial Nature in London.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 28 (3): 896–919. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13653.
Dietz, Kristina und Bettina Engels (2022): "Konflikt". In: Gottschlich, Daniela et al. (Hg.), Handbuch Politische Ökologie. Bielefeld: transcript Verlag: 407-412. https://doi.org/10.14361/9783839456279-039
Karlsson, Bengt (2015): Political Ecology: Anthropological Perspectives. In: Wright, James D. (Hg.): International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Second Edition, Volume 18. Elsevier, Oxford: 350-355.
Nightingale, Andrea J. (2016): “Adaptive Scholarship and Situated Knowledges? Hybrid Methodologies and Plural Epistemologies in Climate Change Adaptation Research.” Area 48 (1): 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12195.
Van Dooren, Thom/Kirksey, Eben und Ursula Münster (2016): “Multispecies Studies: Cultivating Arts of Attentiveness.” Environmental Humanities 8 (1): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1215/22011919-3527695.Empfohlen:
Barua, Maan. 2014. “Volatile Ecologies: Towards a Material Politics of Human—Animal Relations.” Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space 46 (6): 1462–78. https://doi.org/10.1068/a46138.
Head, Lesley, Jennifer Atchison, Catherine Phillips, and Kathleen Buckingham. 2014. “Vegetal Politics: Belonging, Practices and Places.” Social & Cultural Geography 15 (8): 861–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2014.973900.
Jones, Owain. 2011. “Materiality and Identity – Forests, Trees and Senses of Belonging.” In New Perspectives on People and Forests, edited by Eva Ritter and Dainis Dauksta, 9:159–77. World Forests. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1150-1_11.
Kirksey, S. Eben, and Stefan Helmreich. 2010. “THE EMERGENCE OF MULTISPECIES ETHNOGRAPHY.” Cultural Anthropology 25 (4): 545–76. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1548-1360.2010.01069.x.
Kohn, Eduardo. 2013. How Forests Think: Toward an Anthropology beyond the Human. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Ogden, Laura, Billy Hall, and Kimiko Tanita. 2013. “Animals, Plants, People, and Things: A Review of Multispecies Ethnography.” Environment and Society: Advances in Research 4 (December):5–24. https://doi.org/10.3167/ares.2013.040102.
Paulson, Susan/Gezon, Lisa L./Watts, Michael (2005): Politics, Ecologies, Genealogies. In: Paulson, Susan/Gezon, Lisa L. (Hg.): Political Ecology across Spaces, Scales, and Social Groups. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick/New Jersey/London: 17-37.
Robbins, Paul (2012): Political Ecology: A Critical Introduction. Blackwell, Oxford.
Tsing, Anna L. (2015): The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Association in the course directory
Last modified: We 24.09.2025 10:48