4066 ENVIRONMENT AND POLITICS

Course Name: POL4066 Environment and Politics

About the Course:

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• This paper is an elective paper that intends to introduce students to themes and issues in the study of environment and politics. It seeks to develop new insights among students on the diverse perspectives that have emerged to offer explanation and understanding on the emergence of environmental discourse.

• It introduces students to the debates in western political theory on the relationship between environment, development, community, gender and the state. It explores both the possibilities as well as limitations that political theory holds for issues in environmentalism. It also explores the contestations that underlie the clash between environment and development.

• The paper seeks to understand the role of civil society and judiciary in bringing salience to the environmental concerns. Apart from this the paper deals with the environmental issues in North East India and challenges ahead.

COURSE OUTCOMES

• The paper remains useful for students in developing ideas on politics which is helpful in providing theoretical insights and perspectives to students if they wish to pursue research programme in area of gender studies, environment and development studies.

• The paper has utility for students preparing for UGC NET-JRF exam and SLET exam

Course Plan: Environment and Politics

Session Plan:

Unit-1: Environmentalism and Political Theory

• The evolution of the environmental discourse

• Central ideas of Green Political Thought

• Ecofeminism and Eco-socialism

Unit-2: Environment and Development

• New paradigm of Development

• Concept and indicators of Sustainable Development

• Ecological Modernisation and Ecological Citizenship