FNP-31306 Communities, Conservation and Development

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Basic knowledge on ecology and social science.

Continuation courses:

Thesis Forest and Nature Conservation Policy; Thesis Rural Development Sociology.

Contents:

The course provides an overview of the specific features of community-based use, conservation and management of biological resources, and its significance for rural development. The following issues are discussed: (a) the history of the debate between conservation and development and the policy developments regarding community-based conservation, (b) the main institutional characteristics of community-based conservation and interventions for its development, (c) main controversial issues regarding community-based conservation in respect to problematic issues such as the relation between (wo)man and nature, and concepts such as community, indigenous knowledge and practice, and participation and collective action. The course consists of lectures and the preparation of a group report.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain the different visions concerning the social nature of, and interactions between, communities, conservation and development;
- classify and compare the various controversial issues regarding the stimulation of community-based conservation within the context of improving environmental governance;
- analyse the characteristics of the different local and global perceptions on conservation;
- appraise the characteristics of specific conservation and development programmes.

Activities:

- attendance of lectures and guest presentations coupled with self-study;
- participation in group discussions and group exercise;
- preparation of paper.

Examination:

The study results are assessed on the basis of:
- the results of a report of group work (50%):
- an individual examination (50%).
Both grades should be 5.5 at least for passing the course.

Literature:

A reader will be made available. Slides of lectures are published on internet.
Further information on the course is provided on the internetsite.