BI1181 Field course: Global development, natural resources and livelihoods, 7.5 credits

Field course: Global development, natural resources and livelihoods

The course is given Agriculture Programme - Rural Development, Agriculture Programme - Food and Agriculture Programme - Soil/Plant

Syllabus approved: 2011-01-26  (from SS 2012)

Subjects: Biology/Rural Development

Areas within Biology: Other Biology Courses

Education cycle: Advanced cycle

Advanced study in the main field: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements (A1N)

Marking scale: 5:Pass with Distinction, 4:Pass with Credit, 3:Pass, U:Fail
The requirements for attaining different grades are described in the course assessment criteria which are contained in a supplement to the course syllabus. Current information on assessment criteria shall be made available at the start of the course.

Prerequisites:
Equivalent to 120 credits including 90 credits in natural sciences, social sciences or technology.
International rural development I, 10 hp or equivalent.
English skills equivalent to English B from upper secondary school.

Objective:
The aim of the course is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the ecological and socio-economic framework for development and sustainable use of living natural resources
On completing the course, students shall be capable of:
- recounting natural resources and environmental factors of importance for the sustainable use of living natural resources in a developing country, particularly the country to be visited.
- identifying development opportunities and problems in relation to development projects and use of natural resources.
- identifying environmental factors of importance for the sustainable use of living natural resources in the land visited during the course and to make comparisons with other lands and regions.
- recounting the most common field work methods for developing countries, based on collaboration with the purpose to investigate conditions for survival and production, and to be able to discuss prospects and limitations of relevant methodology.
- identifying and analysing development problems in relation to natural resources and suggesting solutions to those problems.
- recounting and evaluating economic and social prerequisites for development projects based on natural resource management.
- recounting and evaluating economic and social effects of development projects based on natural resource management.

Content
The course will be carried through in a combination of theoretical work and field studies in a developing country. By way of introduction central examples of natural resource usage in developing countries, with a special focus on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, will be analyzed and discussed. There will be a special attention on questions concerning the environment, and on economic and social aspects of development. The field trip is prepared through different assignments, methods and lectures on conditions in the country to be studied. Two to three weeks will be spent doing field work in a developing country, where students will visit places with different kinds of natural environments and activities. During the field visit students will carry out a project directed towards natural resource utilization, and with an aim at highlighting questions concerning development, the environment, and economic and social aspects. Local expertise and experience from projects linked to SLU will be used in the field course.

Literature:
Joint course literature is established separately and is listed in a supplement to the course syllabus. Current information about joint course literature shall be made available not later than eight (8) weeks prior to course start.

Requirements for examination:
Approved project reporting (oral and written) and attendance at compulsory elements.

General regulations and guidelines for assessment and grading is established in the regulations for education in first and second cycle at SLU.

Additional information
This course can be taken as part of the course package Global development, natural resources and livelihoods, which is given jointly by SLU’s four faculties. Max number of students 25. The students have to pay parts of the costs related to the field excursion (travel, food and accommodation, etc.) maximum 50 % of the total costs.

Responsible department
Department of Ecology

Cooperating departments
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics

Location
Uppsala