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Extractive Legacies in Latin America (ANTH30022)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Off Campus
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | July - Off Campus |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Since the turn of the last century, Latin America in general and the Andean region in particular have witnessed a pronounced escalation of investment in extractive industries. Driven in large part by historically high commodity prices and rising Chinese demand, national governments have sought to use oil and mineral rents to finance novel programs of economic redistribution. While generating significant socio-economic benefits, these projects have also contributed to the intensification of environmental conflicts, particularly around water. In recent years, Chile has been home to more than 35 mining-related conflicts, most of them on indigenous territories over water resources.
This subject takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding these conflicts, with a particular focus on the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It asks comparative questions about the relationships between large-scale mining and indigenous displacement, conflicts over culturally distinct understandings of territory, relationality, and well-being, the legacies of water privatization, the increasingly asymmetrical relations between corporations headquartered in the Global North and extractive frontiers in the Global South, and the effects of climate change on water-related struggles throughout the region. Throughout, we explore similarities and differences with both past and present mining struggles in Australia.
The Atacama Desert offers a particularly privileged location in which to investigate these dynamics on the ground. One of Chile’s main tourist attractions, its rich deposits of copper, lithium and other minerals, its water scarcity, and its long history of indigenous settlements in tension with colonial enclaves, have made it a fascinating microcosm of the regional, national, and global dynamics explored throughout the subject. As a University of Melbourne Overseas subject (UMOS) this subject will take place on site in collaboration with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Whilst based in Chile, the subject will involve field trips to relevant sites.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of socio-political narratives and debates surrounding the extractive industries in Latin America;
- Demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge through on-site experience;
- Effectively communicate the social, political, historical and cultural realities shaping Chilean society and the extractive sector in particular;
- Articulate the relationship between diverse and contested forms of knowledge and practice within Latin America and the socio-historical contexts that produced them;
- Understand the different cultural politics surrounding the extractive sector in Chile versus in Australia;
- Be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussions and class presentations.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should:
- Develop an understanding of debates in domestic and international politics and an ability to evaluate different interpretations of political phenomena.
- Demonstrate an understanding of research processes in the social sciences including design, methodology and methods, critical analysis and interpretation, and the diversity of approaches to research.
- Recognise the importance of ethical standards of conduct in the research and analysis of social and political phenomena.
- Work productively in groups.
- Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
- Develop an ability to work with independence and self-reflection, and engage in problem solving.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Coordinator Approval is required to enrol: https://studyos.students.unimelb.edu.au/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10422
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
- Basic Spanish language skills would be an advantage but not essential.
- Students are encouraged, but not required, to undertake one of the following subjects prior to enrolling in this subject:
- Exploring Latin America (SPAN30021)
- Cultures & Flavours of Latin America (UNIB20019)
- Global Histories of Indigenous Activism (HIST30074)
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
This subject is taught off-campus and physical access to some of the venues and modes of transport may be challenging. These should be discussed with the subject coordinator prior to enrolment.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Contribution to online platform documenting and discussing the overseas subject (1,000 words) (35%), due during fieldtrip
- Group presentation in class (equivalent to 500 words) (15%), due during fieldtrip
- Critical Research Essay (2,500 words) (50%), due 4 weeks after completion of the fieldtrip
Hurdle requirements: Students must attend all classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation is required.
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- July - Off Campus
Principal coordinator Erin Fitz-Henry Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours 30 contact hours: comprising of seminars, small group workshops, and field excursions, delivered as an overseas intensive over the period of 10 days (Off Campus). Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching requirements Participation in pre-semester induction meetings. Teaching period 1 July 2019 to 14 July 2019 Last self-enrol date 3 July 2019 Census date 12 July 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 August 2019 Assessment period ends 17 August 2019 July contact information
Additional delivery details
Enrolment is limited to 20 students. An application process applies and students will be selected based on their academic merit, application statement and interview. This overseas intensive subject will incur additional costs such as travel and accommodation. Students may be eligible to apply for funding support.
Location: Chile, South America
Duration: 2 weeks
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Off-campus study
This subject has an overseas component
As a University of Melbourne Overseas subject (UMOS) this subject will take place on site in collaboration with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- 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