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Gendering Extractive Economies (DEVT90057)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2019
Overview
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Human societies have been dependent on harvesting and extracting resources from the earth. From the wind, water, sun, land, and all the way to the depth of the earth, communities around the world have extracted resources for sustaining their lives or to make profit. Adopting a gender framework, DEVP 90057 focuses on gender relations both in communities involved in extractive economic regimes and within extractive industries. In this class, we will examine how processes of resource extraction are complex, where relations are often shaped by violent conflicts, resistance, and continuous negotiations among different actors. What do the ongoing extractive economic practices tell us about gender relations in our contemporary society? What kinds of cost do communities pay where extractive resource regimes have taken over their land? What kinds of social and political order come up in these communities? Why is it important to make a case for gendering extractive resource practices? Do extractive resource companies value male and female workers equally? What are the risks of ignoring gender issues in the extractive economy discussion? Do men and women have equal decision-making power during for accessing resources and economic opportunities? Taking case studies from mining, fishing, plantation, agribusiness, and juxtaposing human rights campaigns from indigenous movements and local communities resisting corporate companies and industries, this subject aims to provide students with analytical tools to critically engage with the interconnections between extractive economic regimes, development and gender in the 21st century.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- engage with key questions and debates in extractive resource economies;
- understand the interconnections between extractive economies and emerging themes of ‘development and progress’;
- have insight into the interrelationship between extractive economies and changing land relations;
- understand the importance of gender relations in extractive economic regimes;
- understand the contemporary political economy of extractive economies and examine who suffers/benefits, and the different debates; and
- gain a dynamics academic grasp of extractive economies and develop critical perspectives on the role these economies play in development more broadly.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- be able to construct coherent and convincing argument about extractive economy through a gender framework;
- learn to develop written and verbal communication skills keeping the relationships between extractive economy, development, and gender;
- be able to critically appraise the theoretical debates on extractive economy and gender in the global north and south as well;
- develop the ability to analyze development projects, particularly in areas related to extractive economy, development, and gender;
- acquire skills and ability to shift perspective between academic and policy perspectives; and
- apply research to treat the knowledge, language and workings between the policy and development world and the academic world, on their own merit, while identifying tensions and connections between them.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Knowledge in social theory, political economy, gender studies, development studies.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 1,500-word written assignment focused on a case study on extractive resource regime (30%), due in Week 6 of the semester.
- A 3,500-word argumentative essay (70%), due in the examination period.
- Hurdle: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2019
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is taught intensively, beginning in August.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022