SFS3081: Political and Social Dimensions of Conservation

This course explores the decision-making apparatus within Chile and Argentina and delves into the complexity of why humans decide to conserve or not; which places/things we choose to conserve or not, what is the cost (in human capital, economic capital, and to ecosystem services) when we choose to conserve or not, and who ultimately are the power brokers of the conservation movement in Patagonia (corporations, government entities, NGOs, foreigners, etc.). And by extension, how do the Chilean conservation management objectives and operations map onto the broader world stage. This is a very transformative time in Chilean conservation management. The ministries are under re-organization; those that hold political influence now may not be the ones in office next year. Many media outlets such as CNN, the New York Times, and The Economist have had recent profiles on the influence of foreign private entities largely shaping the conservation scene in Chile. This course will allow stimulating debate and exploration and send students home with unprecedented insight.While the course will expose students to broad conservation issues that face the entire planet, we will ground these topics in case studies from the diverse locations we visit. Students will learn concepts in conservation both theoretical and practical from lectures and field trips. Throughout the semester, students will be exposed to a wide range of conservation practices, policies and critiques through discussions, direct observations, and assessments of various conservation initiatives that are being implemented and co-managed by diverse stakeholders including: local government agencies, international governments and investors, private companies, local and international organizations, and researchers. The course will provide students with a background to engage in a nuanced discussion of conservation at multiple scales. Students will gain first-hand information about different conservation challenges and approaches from diverse perspectives such as decision makers; park rangers; educators; and conservation activists who are active in the conservation field in both Chile and Argentina.

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