People and Environment in Africa

In many contexts, Africa has been presented as a continent where the interplay between people and environment is especially problematic. In the daily press as well as in educational literature, Africa is reported as a continent characterized by drought, deforestation, water shortage and a struggle for natural resources, and with cultural and politically conditioned traditions that are a hindrance to development. Although such problems are most prominent in many places, it is equally clear that conditions are varied and the causal relations complex. The course aims to give an introduction to a few central approaches to problems connected to the relation between people and environmental issues in Africa. Emphasis will be put on the discussion and presentation of the geographical spread of various phenomena, possible causal relations and attempts that may be utilized to resolve the problems.

Learning objectives: The student shall during the course acquire knowledge about reasons behind and consequences of various types of environmental changes. The student should be able to critically reflect on and evaluate information about these processes of change. Through a written assignment, students will collect relevant information and explain a specifically assigned topic/question.

One start-up seminar and 6 hours written exam. Teaching will only be given if a sufficient number of students register for the course and if the Department has sufficient teaching resources. See www.ntnu.no/geografi/studentinformasjon for the most recent information on the courses not offered. Information will be made available no later than 10 January in the spring semister and 10 August in the autumn semester.