Fall 2022

Natural Worlds

Listed in: Political Science, as POSC-418

Faculty

Eleonora Mattiacci (Section 01)

Description

Nature and the natural world have always been front and center in international relations. They have been a curse, an ally, a rival and, at times, collateral damage as nations have competed to control natural resources. This class will explore how nature has shaped interactions between states and individuals across borders, and how it has been shaped by them. The first part of the class will consider nature’s role during peace time and ask when states compete over natural resources. When do states instead cooperate to share resources? In the second part of the class, we will focus on the degree to which disputes over the natural world escalate into wars. When do actors choose to damage the natural environment through scorched earth techniques? How does international law deal with these acts? As a culminating activity, students will be asked to do original research projects and also work in teams. This class will include lectures and a discussion. It is open to majors and non-major and it fulfills requirements 2 and 4 of the IR 5 College Certificate.

Requisite: One or more classes in the social sciences. Limited to 20 students. Fall semester. Assistant Professor Mattiacci.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority to majors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Attention to research; attention to speaking; attention to writing.

POSC 418 - LEC

Section 01
Tu 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM CONV 308
Th 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM CONV 308

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking Sonke Ahrens Sonke Ahrens Amherst Books TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

2023-24: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2022, Spring 2025