310084 Rural livelihoods and natural resources governance

Details
Responsible DepartmentForest & Landscape

Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseMSc
 
ExaminationContinuous Assessment

written examination and oral examination

Portfolio Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: The exam has three components: 1. multiple-choice test 2. oral presentation of scientific paper including student peer-review 3. 12 hour written exam; essay on provided topic - max. 2,000 words

Weight: Equal



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Organisation of TeachingThe course gives approximately equal weight to (i) lectures followed by theoretical exercises and discussions and (ii) student presentations of pre-selected scientific papers and own work.
 
Block PlacementBlock 2
Week Structure: A
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Course Content
This course is concerned with rural livelihoods in a developing country context, including the linkages between rural livelihoods and natural resources management. The focus is on how rural livelihoods are constructed when capital assets are used in activities that generate livelihood outcomes. The focus will be on the five capital asset categories; physical, financial, natural, social and human, with a particular emphasis on natural capital assets. The course will illustrate how external factors, in particular natural resources management systems, affect rural peoples' access to natural resources and, thereby, their livelihood strategies and outcomes. In addition to an overview of these subject areas, the course will focus on tools to understand and analyse rural livelihoods and linkages with natural resources management. In addition, students will gain in-depth understanding of a timely topic within the area of the course through a two-week intensive case study. The course emphasises that students are enabled to reflect critically on the complexity of livelihoods and natural resources management relations.
 
Teaching and learning Methods
The course mixes lectures, exercises, student presentations, role play, and discussions. The last two weeks of the course are dedicated to an in-depth case study of a topic within the area of the course in which students will apply the theories and tools obtained in the course.
 
Learning Outcome
The aim of the course is to provide participants with a thorough understanding of rural livelihoods in a developing country context and to enable them to identify, characterise and analyse linkages between rural livelihoods and natural resources management systems.

After completing the course the students should be able to:

Knowledge:
Understand the complexity of rural livelihoods and principles of livelihoods analysis

Understand and reflect on linkages between rural livelihoods and natural resource management systems

Skills:
Apply principles of livelihood analysis

Characterise natural resource management systems

Identify linkages between natural resources management systems and outcomes and processes of rural livelihoods

Competencies:
Analyse rural livelihoods and natural resources management in a broader historical and societal context

Critically reflect on and discuss scientific issues in relation to rural livelihoods and natural resources management

Analyse and communicate scientifically based evidence on rural livelihoods and natural resources management to various audiences
 
Course Literature
Ellis, F. 2000. Rural Livelihoods and Diversity in Developing Countries. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Other selected reading material will be provided during the course.
 
Course Coordinator
Jens Friis Lund, jens@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Unit of Forestry, Phone: 353-31767
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
preparation110
lectures34
theoretical exercises20
Colloquia30
examination12

206