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240046 VO+UE VM1 / VM3 - Introduction to Critical Agrarian Studies (2022S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The seminar will be held in presence, depending on the pandemic situation and specifications. Some dates may be held online. Details will be discussed in the first session, which is currently planned in presence.

  • Wednesday 09.03. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 23.03. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 06.04. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 04.05. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 18.05. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 01.06. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 01.06. 16:45 - 20:00 Hörsaal II NIG Erdgeschoß
  • Wednesday 15.06. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1
  • Wednesday 29.06. 12:15 - 15:45 Seminarraum SG2 Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, Bauteil 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

From a political-economic perspective critical agrarian studies focus on the structural transformation of the countryside under conditions of globalization. Researchers from the field analyze agrarian social classes, how they are called into being by political-economic forces, the relationship between capitalism and agriculture, the emergence and transformation of food regimes, property and labour relations in the agrarian sector, the politics of rural class struggles and the creation of alternatives to capitalism in the countryside. The seminar introduces into the field of critical agrarian studies. We will learn about its origins, core theories and concepts, epistemologies and methodologies and contemporary debates within the field.
In this seminar we will read and discuss fundamental texts of Critical Agrarian Studies. We deepen selected aspects such as work, class and gender relations and systematically analyze self-chosen cases of agrarian change and rural transformation in working groups from the perspective of Critical Agrarian Studies.
After attendance, participants will
- have an overview the research field of critical agrarian studies, including basic theories and empirical fields of research;
- know basic concepts, categories and contemporary debates within critical agrarian studies with regard to agrarian and rural transformation;
- know current challenges for agrarian transformation and politics, and be able to critically reflect on them;
- be able to independently formulate research questions using theoretical perspectives and concepts from critical agrarian studies and be able to develop research strategies for answering them.

Assessment and permitted materials

Constant and active participation
Collaborative group work
Seminar paper

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Constant and active participation
Reading of basic texts, participation in group work and plenary discussion
Participation in seminar accompanying working group and presentation of working group outcome
Term paper: 4.000 - 5.000 plus cover page and references

Examination topics

Reading list

Recommended readings:
Akram-Lodhi, Haroon, Dietz, Kristina; Engels, Bettina; McKay, Ben (Eds.). (2021). Handbook of Critical Agrarian Studies. Cheltenham: Edgar Elgar.
Akram-Lodhi, Haroon; Kay, Cristóbal 2010a: Surveying the agrarian question (part 1): unearthing foundations, exploring diversity. In: The Journal of Peasant Studies, 37:1, 177-202.
Bernstein, Harry 2009: Agrarian questions from transition to globalisation, in: Akram-Lodhi, A. Haroon/Kay, Cristobal (ed.): Peasants and globalisation: political economy, rural transformation and the agrarian question, London: Routledge, 239-261.
Bernstein, Henry 2010: Class Dynamics of Agrarian Change, Hallifax: Fernwood.
Edelman, Marc/Wolford, Wendy 2017: Introduction: Critical Agrarian Studies in Theory and Practice. In: Antipode, 1-18.

Association in the course directory

VM1; VM3

Last modified: We 16.03.2022 08:28