Course syllabus

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DEVELOPMENT STUDIES PROGRAMME

 

DEVELOP 713: Ethics and Governance in International Development

 

Thursdays, 9-11am, Arts 1, Room 202 (206-202)

 

Course Outline 2018

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Professor Andreas Neef

Office: HSB 838

Email: a.neef@auckland.ac.nz

 

Office hours:  by appointment only

 

 

  1. Scope and Approach

 

This course addresses the ethical dilemmas and governance challenges arising from conflicting goals and interests in international development. Balancing competing demands of various stakeholders through appropriate governance mechanisms requires an in-depth understanding of the values and judgements that inform societal choices and political decision-making. Students shall be familiarized with ethical debates in international development and enabled to engage in ethically informed conversations on contemporary development challenges.

In 2018, the major emphasis of the course will be on the so-called “Food, Water and Energy Nexus”. The principal aim of this course is to provide students with a clear understanding of the trade-offs and conflicts emerging from the increasing interconnectedness of global and local food, water and energy supplies and discuss their ethical implications and governance challenges in the field of international development. Given the myriad of interactions and possible trade-offs, it is pivotal to successfully address the triple challenge of securing food, water and energy supplies for present and future generations. This requires taking a holistic view and balancing the many competing demands through appropriate governance mechanisms, while understanding the different values and judgements that may inform societal choices, political decision-making and local priority setting. Classes will draw on a variety of case studies, predominantly in developing country contexts.

 

By the end of this semester, students should know:

  1. a) the interconnections between food, water and energy security
  2. b) major ethical debates surrounding the food, water and energy nexus and approaches to governing the nexus
  3. c) the societal, political and economic transformations that are essential to support the transition to integrated and ethically sound food, water and energy systems

By the end of this semester, students should be able to:

  1. critically read course materials and reflect on their underlying ethical frameworks and moral viewpoints;
  2. research and write a major essay on a contemporary issue pertaining to the food, water and energy nexus and explore its ethical dimensions and governance challenges;
  3. communicate ethical arguments in a reflective, coherent, informed and unbiased manner in both written and verbal form.

 

  1. Coursework (1 group presentation with individual notes worth 30%,
    1 blog-style essay worth 40% and 1 oral presentation worth 30%

 

Written assignments need to be brought in hard copy to lecture on their due dates. Please use title pages and headers in your essays with your name and course number.

 

 A) Group Presentation (with individual notes)

Due:    9 August

Length: 8-10 min presentation, 5 min Q&A, 600-800 words of written notes (30%)

For this assessment you are required to discuss the pros and cons of a particular agri-food system, considering such factors as impacts on producers, consumers, environment, climate change, national and local food security, water resources, energy use, etc. 

You will be provided with a suggestion of papers and websites for this assignment, but you are encouraged to search for additional material that can support your arguments.

 

 B) Blog-Style Essay

Due:    27 September

Length: 2,500 words (40%)

 

For your blog-style essay, you are required to select a topic that relates to at least two components of the food, water and energy nexus. You should

  • describe the ethical dimensions of the issue;
  • identify the key actors, their interests and how these may be in conflict with the interests of other actors;
  • provide ideas on how to resolve conflicts and reconcile competing interests
    through appropriate governance mechanisms.

 

 C) Oral Presentation

            Due:    11 October

            Length: 10 min (30%)

 

The oral presentations will be conducted in the form of role plays. Students will take the role of stakeholders involved in conflicts pertaining to the food-water-energy nexus.

 

  1. Expectations

 

We treat plagiarism very seriously, so we reserve the right to submit students’ work to Turn It In. Our expectations are as follows:

  1. i) Submitted work is your own work;
  2. ii) Sources of ideas and quotes will be appropriately referenced

iii)        Advertised submission dates are non-negotiable (with the exception of serious illness or family bereavement with appropriate documentation).

           

Late submissions without prior written permission of the instructor will normally be penalized in the following way:

 

1 day late = 15% penalty

2 days late = 20% penalty

3 days late = 25% penalty

4 days late = 30% penalty

5 days late = 35% penalty

6 or more days late (work will not be marked)

Please note: weekends and public holidays are not included in the lateness penalty

 

  1. Lecture Schedule (Thursdays 9-11)

 

Week

Date

Topic

1

19 July

Introduction: The Global Quest for Food, Water and Energy Security

2

26 July

Food Security and the Human Right to Food: Definitions, Concepts, and Controversies

3

  2 Aug

From Subsistence Farming to the Modern Agri-Food System: A Brief Overview of Agriculture and Nutrition

4

  9 Aug

The Politics and Ethics of Food Waste and Food Safety

Group Presentation With Individual Notes Due

5

16 Aug

Ethical Issues, Conflicts and Governance in Fisheries and Aquaculture

6

23 Aug

Religious and Secular Foundations of Water Governance and Water Ethics

 

 

MID SEMESTER BREAK

7

13 Sept

Water as Common-Pool Resource and Economic Good: Rights, Values and Conflicts

8

20 Sept

Transboundary Water Bodies: Food and Energy Security Concerns, Water Conflicts and the Need for Collaborative Governance

9

27 Sept

Energy Security: International Competition, National Interests and Local Needs

Blog-Style Essay Due

10

  4 Oct

Biofuels: Impact on Food Security, Water Supplies and Resource Grabbing

11

11 Oct

Oral Presentations in the Form of Role Plays
Stakeholder Meeting Thailand Case Study
and/or Stakeholder Meeting Canada Case Study

12

18 Oct

Conclusion: Ethical and Sustainable Pathways to Global Food, Water and Energy Security / Class Evaluation

 

  1. Inclusive learning

Students are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course convenor.

 

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due