Unit information: People and Protected Areas: Theories and Application of Conservation in 2012/13

Unit name	People and Protected Areas: Theories and Application of Conservation
Unit code	GEOGM0016
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Fairbrother
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This course explores major theories and approaches to conservation, from "fortress conservation" to community-based and participatory strategies. Considers the implications of protected areas for local human populations. Evaluates outcomes and consequences of protected areas, and controversies over the "best" way to protect natural resources.

The creation of protected areas has become a principal tool for attempting to conserve endangered natural resources. The amount of land contained in conservation areas has more than tripled worldwide over the past three decades. Over 100,000 parks and nature preserves now enclose roughly 12% of the earth’s land surface. Despite this massive intervention, countless species of plants and animals are rapidly declining to the point of extinction while scholars are increasingly calling attention to a host of moral, political, economic, scientific and other sorts of practical difficulties that plague the contemporary conservation landscape. This seminar-style course explores a broad range of questions and debates surrounding protected areas. Drawing upon research in geography and other social science disciplines, the use of national parks and other conservation models to protect nature will be critically examined to understand their effects upon human and non-human populations. It considers major theories and approaches to conservation, from "fortress conservation" to community-based and participatory strategies, as well as the potential of ecotourism and other market based approaches. It evaluates outcomes and consequences of protected areas, with a special interest in the ways climate change is providing particular challenges or new opportunities for addressing tensions among biodiversity, livelihoods, and conservation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

This course has several objectives. These include:

1. To develop an understanding of contemporary debates and key theoretical concepts in contemporary conservation science, practice, and governance through critical review of the literature.
2. To be able to apply these debates/concepts to practical examples
3. To develop a perspective on biodiversity conservation issues and problems that looks not only to their biophysical or natural aspects, but also their social dimensions, including their origins and their implications.
4. To critically evaluate the ecological and social viability of dominant strategies for conserving biodiversity, including protected areas, community-based conservation, ecotourism, and conservation concessions.
5. To develop critical thinking and reading skills and to respond to readings substantively and critically.

Teaching Information

Seminars

Assessment Information

People and Protected Areas case Study (4000 - 5000 words) = 60%

Truth in Numbers Group Assignment (2000 - 2500) = 40%

Reading and References

To be confirmed.