Weekly outline
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DEAR STUDENTS,
WELCOME TO THE COURSE!
Please read the program carefully and bring any question you might have tomorrow at 10:15.
We will meet in ZOOM for an introductory session where we will introduce each other and briefly discuss the course dynamic and aims. You can also send questions by email.
The meeting ID is: 911-7755-7485
The password is: 627060
The link to join is: https://ruhr-uni-bochum.zoom.us/j/91177557485?pwd=TElRd1hFemNOOFlUZVJkZUpnYk1pZz09
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This is the power point I mentioned. I hope it is useful. Feel free to question and make any suggestion for improvement.
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This is the power point I mentioned. I hope it is useful. Feel free to question and make any suggestion for improvement.
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This is the power point I mentioned. I hope it is useful. Feel free to question and make any suggestion for improvement.
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This is the power point I mentioned. I hope it is useful. Feel free to question and make any suggestion for improvement.
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Read Introduction p 1-11 and Chapter 1 p 12- 42
Discussion on May 5
......
In Carbon democracy, the geographer Timothy Mitchell does to fossil fuels (and more specifically Oil) something similar to what Sidney Mintz did with Sugar: he traces the commodity from its production process to its consumption. While he is also paying attention to the meaning that fossil fuels carry, Mitchell brings new conceptual tools borrowing from Science and Technology Studies and Postcolonial theory, to pay attention to the shaping of our "sociotechnical" worlds. This way, the author traces the "arrangements of people, finance, expertise and violence that were assembled in relationship to the distribution and control of energy" (p8), and the ways in which these arrangements opened or closed political possibilities. In doing so, Mitchell challenges key assumptions of how liberal democracies see other countries and makes us see fossil fuels in new ways. The book shows Oil as having a central role in the shaping of the ways we think now about "development" (as economic growth), in constituting "the economy" through novel forms of calculation, among many other things.
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WORTH TO WATCH! - Useful short video that shows us the uses of oil, the main political negotiations and interests surrounding it, the behavior of oil prices trough the XX and XXI century, the different technologies of extraction and some of its environmental consequences. All very simply explained.
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The current coronavirus-oil situation or if you preffer... a peek at our dependence of oil, and the depence of oil on us.
-
Read Introduction p 1-11 and Chapter 1 p 12- 42
Discussion on May 5
......
In Carbon democracy, the geographer Timothy Mitchell does to fossil fuels (and more specifically Oil) something similar to what Sidney Mintz did with Sugar: he traces the commodity from its production process to its consumption. While he is also paying attention to the meaning that fossil fuels carry, Mitchell brings new conceptual tools borrowing from Science and Technology Studies and Postcolonial theory, to pay attention to the shaping of our "sociotechnical" worlds. This way, the author traces the "arrangements of people, finance, expertise and violence that were assembled in relationship to the distribution and control of energy" (p8), and the ways in which these arrangements opened or closed political possibilities. In doing so, Mitchell challenges key assumptions of how liberal democracies see other countries and makes us see fossil fuels in new ways. The book shows Oil as having a central role in the shaping of the ways we think now about "development" (as economic growth), in constituting "the economy" through novel forms of calculation, among many other things.
-
WORTH TO WATCH! - Useful short video that shows us the uses of oil, the main political negotiations and interests surrounding it, the behavior of oil prices trough the XX and XXI century, the different technologies of extraction and some of its environmental consequences. All very simply explained.
-
The current coronavirus-oil situation or if you preffer... a peek at our dependence of oil, and the depence of oil on us.
-
Read Introduction p 1-11 and Chapter 1 p 12- 42
Discussion on May 5
......
In Carbon democracy, the geographer Timothy Mitchell does to fossil fuels (and more specifically Oil) something similar to what Sidney Mintz did with Sugar: he traces the commodity from its production process to its consumption. While he is also paying attention to the meaning that fossil fuels carry, Mitchell brings new conceptual tools borrowing from Science and Technology Studies and Postcolonial theory, to pay attention to the shaping of our "sociotechnical" worlds. This way, the author traces the "arrangements of people, finance, expertise and violence that were assembled in relationship to the distribution and control of energy" (p8), and the ways in which these arrangements opened or closed political possibilities. In doing so, Mitchell challenges key assumptions of how liberal democracies see other countries and makes us see fossil fuels in new ways. The book shows Oil as having a central role in the shaping of the ways we think now about "development" (as economic growth), in constituting "the economy" through novel forms of calculation, among many other things.
-
WORTH TO WATCH! - Useful short video that shows us the uses of oil, the main political negotiations and interests surrounding it, the behavior of oil prices trough the XX and XXI century, the different technologies of extraction and some of its environmental consequences. All very simply explained.
-
The current coronavirus-oil situation or if you preffer... a peek at our dependence of oil, and the depence of oil on us.
-
Read Introduction p 1-11 and Chapter 1 p 12- 42
Discussion on May 5
......
In Carbon democracy, the geographer Timothy Mitchell does to fossil fuels (and more specifically Oil) something similar to what Sidney Mintz did with Sugar: he traces the commodity from its production process to its consumption. While he is also paying attention to the meaning that fossil fuels carry, Mitchell brings new conceptual tools borrowing from Science and Technology Studies and Postcolonial theory, to pay attention to the shaping of our "sociotechnical" worlds. This way, the author traces the "arrangements of people, finance, expertise and violence that were assembled in relationship to the distribution and control of energy" (p8), and the ways in which these arrangements opened or closed political possibilities. In doing so, Mitchell challenges key assumptions of how liberal democracies see other countries and makes us see fossil fuels in new ways. The book shows Oil as having a central role in the shaping of the ways we think now about "development" (as economic growth), in constituting "the economy" through novel forms of calculation, among many other things.
-
WORTH TO WATCH! - Useful short video that shows us the uses of oil, the main political negotiations and interests surrounding it, the behavior of oil prices trough the XX and XXI century, the different technologies of extraction and some of its environmental consequences. All very simply explained.
-
The current coronavirus-oil situation or if you preffer... a peek at our dependence of oil, and the depence of oil on us.
-
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"Timely Assets: The Politics of Resources and Their Temporalities" is an edited book about the temporal dimensions of "resources". But, what does it mean to think about issues of "time" and resources at the same time?
As one of the editors present the book, it brings questions such as "Under what conditions and with what consequences do people find something to be a resource? What kinds of temporal experiences, concepts, or narratives does thinking of things as resources entail? How does the making and imagining of resources assume or condition particular understandings of past, present, and future? How do understandings of time shape the ways resources are named, managed, or allocated?" (cited in https://elizabeth-ferry.com/)
The introduction to the book is quite helpful in giving us some theoretical insights about how to think about resource temporalities. It opens issues and questions that could provide us with ideas on how to analyze specific dimensions of natural resources. It can give us some ideas for research questions. Or maybe, what I find most interesting, it just connects us with the discussion of the "future" that is implicit in our discussions of climate change and capitalism. I hope you enjoy it!
-
Here is a link to the special issue of the journal Extractive Industries and Society about "Mining temporalities". It shows the titles and abstracts to some papers that engage directly with the issue of the politics of time in resource extraction. If you are specially interested in this subject, and you think it can help you with your research, check the abstracts. In any case, if you are interested in Extractive Industries you should keep an eye on this specialized journal.
-
"Timely Assets: The Politics of Resources and Their Temporalities" is an edited book about the temporal dimensions of "resources". But, what does it mean to think about issues of "time" and resources at the same time?
As one of the editors present the book, it brings questions such as "Under what conditions and with what consequences do people find something to be a resource? What kinds of temporal experiences, concepts, or narratives does thinking of things as resources entail? How does the making and imagining of resources assume or condition particular understandings of past, present, and future? How do understandings of time shape the ways resources are named, managed, or allocated?" (cited in https://elizabeth-ferry.com/)
The introduction to the book is quite helpful in giving us some theoretical insights about how to think about resource temporalities. It opens issues and questions that could provide us with ideas on how to analyze specific dimensions of natural resources. It can give us some ideas for research questions. Or maybe, what I find most interesting, it just connects us with the discussion of the "future" that is implicit in our discussions of climate change and capitalism. I hope you enjoy it!
-
Here is a link to the special issue of the journal Extractive Industries and Society about "Mining temporalities". It shows the titles and abstracts to some papers that engage directly with the issue of the politics of time in resource extraction. If you are specially interested in this subject, and you think it can help you with your research, check the abstracts. In any case, if you are interested in Extractive Industries you should keep an eye on this specialized journal.
-
"Timely Assets: The Politics of Resources and Their Temporalities" is an edited book about the temporal dimensions of "resources". But, what does it mean to think about issues of "time" and resources at the same time?
As one of the editors present the book, it brings questions such as "Under what conditions and with what consequences do people find something to be a resource? What kinds of temporal experiences, concepts, or narratives does thinking of things as resources entail? How does the making and imagining of resources assume or condition particular understandings of past, present, and future? How do understandings of time shape the ways resources are named, managed, or allocated?" (cited in https://elizabeth-ferry.com/)
The introduction to the book is quite helpful in giving us some theoretical insights about how to think about resource temporalities. It opens issues and questions that could provide us with ideas on how to analyze specific dimensions of natural resources. It can give us some ideas for research questions. Or maybe, what I find most interesting, it just connects us with the discussion of the "future" that is implicit in our discussions of climate change and capitalism. I hope you enjoy it!
-
Here is a link to the special issue of the journal Extractive Industries and Society about "Mining temporalities". It shows the titles and abstracts to some papers that engage directly with the issue of the politics of time in resource extraction. If you are specially interested in this subject, and you think it can help you with your research, check the abstracts. In any case, if you are interested in Extractive Industries you should keep an eye on this specialized journal.
-
"Timely Assets: The Politics of Resources and Their Temporalities" is an edited book about the temporal dimensions of "resources". But, what does it mean to think about issues of "time" and resources at the same time?
As one of the editors present the book, it brings questions such as "Under what conditions and with what consequences do people find something to be a resource? What kinds of temporal experiences, concepts, or narratives does thinking of things as resources entail? How does the making and imagining of resources assume or condition particular understandings of past, present, and future? How do understandings of time shape the ways resources are named, managed, or allocated?" (cited in https://elizabeth-ferry.com/)
The introduction to the book is quite helpful in giving us some theoretical insights about how to think about resource temporalities. It opens issues and questions that could provide us with ideas on how to analyze specific dimensions of natural resources. It can give us some ideas for research questions. Or maybe, what I find most interesting, it just connects us with the discussion of the "future" that is implicit in our discussions of climate change and capitalism. I hope you enjoy it!
-
Here is a link to the special issue of the journal Extractive Industries and Society about "Mining temporalities". It shows the titles and abstracts to some papers that engage directly with the issue of the politics of time in resource extraction. If you are specially interested in this subject, and you think it can help you with your research, check the abstracts. In any case, if you are interested in Extractive Industries you should keep an eye on this specialized journal.
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Dear all,
I have decided to change this week's text to one from a later week. The reason is that I think we need an empirical example of the theories and concepts we have been talking about.
We will then read about resources and affects, which will give us more insights into what it is like to think of resources and temporalities.
Enjoy the reading.
Best
Susana
-
For this week's assignment, we are all going to comment on the same document. The task is very similar to last week's, with the difference that you will now see your classmates' comments.
You are the required to read the text, highlight what you find essential and comment on it. If you find that somebody already highlighted or commented on some passage, then you can add your comment answering directly to that person's comment (this means, of course, you would not need to highlight again).
At some points, small discussions will emerge. Also, you can give answers to the questions other people wrote. We will also find which passages generated more questions and see how other people understood specific points.
Follow the same principles of last week's assignment: read and dialogue with the text. Write questions you might have, appreciations of things you liked or not, references to other discussions or texts that you read, things that you think could be discussed in class, etc. etc., etc. You don't need to comment too much, but you need to show that you were engaged with the reading.
The firsts people to add comments will not have anything to comment on, but that is not a problem. You can (if desired) access later again and check what your fellows have done and comment again. I might also peek sometimes and maybe comment as well.
For this activity, we will use a google document that already has the text copied on it (This means that you don't need to read the pdf before, but you can go directly to the google docs).
If you don't have, or don't want to use your google account, you can edit without login in. But if you do so, please add your name to every comment you make so many of you are not called "anonymous". Also keep in mind that if you don't log in you cannot edit your comments.
We will have until Monday night to add comments.
Please be careful not to erase other people comments.
Don't hesitate to write to me with any question or problem you might have.
Best
-
Just an article about Sao Tomé and tourism. It is a promotional piece, but interesting to know how the Island is promoting itself economically aside from extractive industries. It also gives us an idea of how the Island is represented (as a "natural" pristine environment which would probably be incompatible with oil extraction in many cases). It has nice pictures as well, and speaks a bit about plantations, showing us how these settlements look now.
-
We will see later what The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. I copy the link here in case you want to browse through it now, and check the info it has about each country. We can check in more detail later. For now I just want you to know it exists.
-
Dear all,
I have decided to change this week's text to one from a later week. The reason is that I think we need an empirical example of the theories and concepts we have been talking about.
We will then read about resources and affects, which will give us more insights into what it is like to think of resources and temporalities.
Enjoy the reading.
Best
Susana
-
For this week's assignment, we are all going to comment on the same document. The task is very similar to last week's, with the difference that you will now see your classmates' comments.
You are the required to read the text, highlight what you find essential and comment on it. If you find that somebody already highlighted or commented on some passage, then you can add your comment answering directly to that person's comment (this means, of course, you would not need to highlight again).
At some points, small discussions will emerge. Also, you can give answers to the questions other people wrote. We will also find which passages generated more questions and see how other people understood specific points.
Follow the same principles of last week's assignment: read and dialogue with the text. Write questions you might have, appreciations of things you liked or not, references to other discussions or texts that you read, things that you think could be discussed in class, etc. etc., etc. You don't need to comment too much, but you need to show that you were engaged with the reading.
The firsts people to add comments will not have anything to comment on, but that is not a problem. You can (if desired) access later again and check what your fellows have done and comment again. I might also peek sometimes and maybe comment as well.
For this activity, we will use a google document that already has the text copied on it (This means that you don't need to read the pdf before, but you can go directly to the google docs).
If you don't have, or don't want to use your google account, you can edit without login in. But if you do so, please add your name to every comment you make so many of you are not called "anonymous". Also keep in mind that if you don't log in you cannot edit your comments.
We will have until Monday night to add comments.
Please be careful not to erase other people comments.
Don't hesitate to write to me with any question or problem you might have.
Best
-
Just an article about Sao Tomé and tourism. It is a promotional piece, but interesting to know how the Island is promoting itself economically aside from extractive industries. It also gives us an idea of how the Island is represented (as a "natural" pristine environment which would probably be incompatible with oil extraction in many cases). It has nice pictures as well, and speaks a bit about plantations, showing us how these settlements look now.
-
We will see later what The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. I copy the link here in case you want to browse through it now, and check the info it has about each country. We can check in more detail later. For now I just want you to know it exists.
-
Dear all,
I have decided to change this week's text to one from a later week. The reason is that I think we need an empirical example of the theories and concepts we have been talking about.
We will then read about resources and affects, which will give us more insights into what it is like to think of resources and temporalities.
Enjoy the reading.
Best
Susana
-
For this week's assignment, we are all going to comment on the same document. The task is very similar to last week's, with the difference that you will now see your classmates' comments.
You are the required to read the text, highlight what you find essential and comment on it. If you find that somebody already highlighted or commented on some passage, then you can add your comment answering directly to that person's comment (this means, of course, you would not need to highlight again).
At some points, small discussions will emerge. Also, you can give answers to the questions other people wrote. We will also find which passages generated more questions and see how other people understood specific points.
Follow the same principles of last week's assignment: read and dialogue with the text. Write questions you might have, appreciations of things you liked or not, references to other discussions or texts that you read, things that you think could be discussed in class, etc. etc., etc. You don't need to comment too much, but you need to show that you were engaged with the reading.
The firsts people to add comments will not have anything to comment on, but that is not a problem. You can (if desired) access later again and check what your fellows have done and comment again. I might also peek sometimes and maybe comment as well.
For this activity, we will use a google document that already has the text copied on it (This means that you don't need to read the pdf before, but you can go directly to the google docs).
If you don't have, or don't want to use your google account, you can edit without login in. But if you do so, please add your name to every comment you make so many of you are not called "anonymous". Also keep in mind that if you don't log in you cannot edit your comments.
We will have until Monday night to add comments.
Please be careful not to erase other people comments.
Don't hesitate to write to me with any question or problem you might have.
Best
-
Just an article about Sao Tomé and tourism. It is a promotional piece, but interesting to know how the Island is promoting itself economically aside from extractive industries. It also gives us an idea of how the Island is represented (as a "natural" pristine environment which would probably be incompatible with oil extraction in many cases). It has nice pictures as well, and speaks a bit about plantations, showing us how these settlements look now.
-
We will see later what The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. I copy the link here in case you want to browse through it now, and check the info it has about each country. We can check in more detail later. For now I just want you to know it exists.
-
Dear all,
I have decided to change this week's text to one from a later week. The reason is that I think we need an empirical example of the theories and concepts we have been talking about.
We will then read about resources and affects, which will give us more insights into what it is like to think of resources and temporalities.
Enjoy the reading.
Best
Susana
-
For this week's assignment, we are all going to comment on the same document. The task is very similar to last week's, with the difference that you will now see your classmates' comments.
You are the required to read the text, highlight what you find essential and comment on it. If you find that somebody already highlighted or commented on some passage, then you can add your comment answering directly to that person's comment (this means, of course, you would not need to highlight again).
At some points, small discussions will emerge. Also, you can give answers to the questions other people wrote. We will also find which passages generated more questions and see how other people understood specific points.
Follow the same principles of last week's assignment: read and dialogue with the text. Write questions you might have, appreciations of things you liked or not, references to other discussions or texts that you read, things that you think could be discussed in class, etc. etc., etc. You don't need to comment too much, but you need to show that you were engaged with the reading.
The firsts people to add comments will not have anything to comment on, but that is not a problem. You can (if desired) access later again and check what your fellows have done and comment again. I might also peek sometimes and maybe comment as well.
For this activity, we will use a google document that already has the text copied on it (This means that you don't need to read the pdf before, but you can go directly to the google docs).
If you don't have, or don't want to use your google account, you can edit without login in. But if you do so, please add your name to every comment you make so many of you are not called "anonymous". Also keep in mind that if you don't log in you cannot edit your comments.
We will have until Monday night to add comments.
Please be careful not to erase other people comments.
Don't hesitate to write to me with any question or problem you might have.
Best
-
Just an article about Sao Tomé and tourism. It is a promotional piece, but interesting to know how the Island is promoting itself economically aside from extractive industries. It also gives us an idea of how the Island is represented (as a "natural" pristine environment which would probably be incompatible with oil extraction in many cases). It has nice pictures as well, and speaks a bit about plantations, showing us how these settlements look now.
-
We will see later what The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. I copy the link here in case you want to browse through it now, and check the info it has about each country. We can check in more detail later. For now I just want you to know it exists.
-
-
-
This week we are going to repeat the reading and commenting together in the google docs. Follow the same instructions of last week.
The only difference this week is that you should read it by Sunday night or early Monday the latest (ill check on your comments Monday afternoon)
-
A classical text about African Oil Enclaves by anthropologist James Ferguson
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An optional reading about changing geographies of extraction in the congolese copperbelt. If you are interest in continuing doing research about this subject these reading might help you.
-
This week we are going to repeat the reading and commenting together in the google docs. Follow the same instructions of last week.
The only difference this week is that you should read it by Sunday night or early Monday the latest (ill check on your comments Monday afternoon)
-
A classical text about African Oil Enclaves by anthropologist James Ferguson
-
An optional reading about changing geographies of extraction in the congolese copperbelt. If you are interest in continuing doing research about this subject these reading might help you.
-
This week we are going to repeat the reading and commenting together in the google docs. Follow the same instructions of last week.
The only difference this week is that you should read it by Sunday night or early Monday the latest (ill check on your comments Monday afternoon)
-
A classical text about African Oil Enclaves by anthropologist James Ferguson
-
An optional reading about changing geographies of extraction in the congolese copperbelt. If you are interest in continuing doing research about this subject these reading might help you.
-
This week we are going to repeat the reading and commenting together in the google docs. Follow the same instructions of last week.
The only difference this week is that you should read it by Sunday night or early Monday the latest (ill check on your comments Monday afternoon)
-
A classical text about African Oil Enclaves by anthropologist James Ferguson
-
An optional reading about changing geographies of extraction in the congolese copperbelt. If you are interest in continuing doing research about this subject these reading might help you.
-
-
The book is about the history of copper open-pit mining in the US, specifically, through the case of the Bingham pit in Utah. The book is an excellent example of a historical account and analysis where technology, expertise, human and non-human agents are at play. In the introduction, the author makes two compelling arguments:
First, we have learned to ignore the systems of what he calls “mass destruction”, and instead, to focus and glorified mass production and mass consumption. Nonetheless, the three systems are interrelated and inseparable.
Second, open pit-mining (or the system of mass destruction as he refers to it) is an ultimate expression of western society's relationship with nature, where we conceive humans and their technological systems as distinct and separate from nature. This relationship is dangerous and has started to show its limits.
This week’s activity is a short writing exercise, where you will explain these two arguments to someone who has not read the book. In other words, imagine that you are explaining the introduction of the book to a friend of you in an informal conversation, and try to put it in writing in your own words. Be concrete, one page should be enough.
A hint for the reading: the text starts with a (longer than I like) story about a house that belonged to both, Daniel Jackling (the man who perfection the open-pit mining) and Steve Jobs. The story is intended to introduce the first argument. During a seminar where we read the same text, many students focused their writing and discussion almost solely in that story (maybe they did not read the whole chapter?) Please don’t do so!!! The real arguments begin after the fourth page. The story of the house is definitely not the important thing.
A second hint is to remember that you don’t need to memorize the details, places, events, names or dates of the case study. You need to focus on understanding the arguments, which could be made using other case studies as well. So, keep this in mind and focus on the analysis and theoretical ideas behind the text. Don't get stuck in the details about this mine in particular.
Finally, I had assigned the introduction and the chapter about the pit, but I decided that we can focus solely on the introduction and make a careful reading of it. If you wish to have the whole book, send me an email, and I will share it with you.
You have until 2:00 pm Monday june 1 to send your texts or upload them to moodle.
Have a nice reading.
-
The book is about the history of copper open-pit mining in the US, specifically, through the case of the Bingham pit in Utah. The book is an excellent example of a historical account and analysis where technology, expertise, human and non-human agents are at play. In the introduction, the author makes two compelling arguments:
First, we have learned to ignore the systems of what he calls “mass destruction”, and instead, to focus and glorified mass production and mass consumption. Nonetheless, the three systems are interrelated and inseparable.
Second, open pit-mining (or the system of mass destruction as he refers to it) is an ultimate expression of western society's relationship with nature, where we conceive humans and their technological systems as distinct and separate from nature. This relationship is dangerous and has started to show its limits.
This week’s activity is a short writing exercise, where you will explain these two arguments to someone who has not read the book. In other words, imagine that you are explaining the introduction of the book to a friend of you in an informal conversation, and try to put it in writing in your own words. Be concrete, one page should be enough.
A hint for the reading: the text starts with a (longer than I like) story about a house that belonged to both, Daniel Jackling (the man who perfection the open-pit mining) and Steve Jobs. The story is intended to introduce the first argument. During a seminar where we read the same text, many students focused their writing and discussion almost solely in that story (maybe they did not read the whole chapter?) Please don’t do so!!! The real arguments begin after the fourth page. The story of the house is definitely not the important thing.
A second hint is to remember that you don’t need to memorize the details, places, events, names or dates of the case study. You need to focus on understanding the arguments, which could be made using other case studies as well. So, keep this in mind and focus on the analysis and theoretical ideas behind the text. Don't get stuck in the details about this mine in particular.
Finally, I had assigned the introduction and the chapter about the pit, but I decided that we can focus solely on the introduction and make a careful reading of it. If you wish to have the whole book, send me an email, and I will share it with you.
You have until 2:00 pm Monday june 1 to send your texts or upload them to moodle.
Have a nice reading.
-
The book is about the history of copper open-pit mining in the US, specifically, through the case of the Bingham pit in Utah. The book is an excellent example of a historical account and analysis where technology, expertise, human and non-human agents are at play. In the introduction, the author makes two compelling arguments:
First, we have learned to ignore the systems of what he calls “mass destruction”, and instead, to focus and glorified mass production and mass consumption. Nonetheless, the three systems are interrelated and inseparable.
Second, open pit-mining (or the system of mass destruction as he refers to it) is an ultimate expression of western society's relationship with nature, where we conceive humans and their technological systems as distinct and separate from nature. This relationship is dangerous and has started to show its limits.
This week’s activity is a short writing exercise, where you will explain these two arguments to someone who has not read the book. In other words, imagine that you are explaining the introduction of the book to a friend of you in an informal conversation, and try to put it in writing in your own words. Be concrete, one page should be enough.
A hint for the reading: the text starts with a (longer than I like) story about a house that belonged to both, Daniel Jackling (the man who perfection the open-pit mining) and Steve Jobs. The story is intended to introduce the first argument. During a seminar where we read the same text, many students focused their writing and discussion almost solely in that story (maybe they did not read the whole chapter?) Please don’t do so!!! The real arguments begin after the fourth page. The story of the house is definitely not the important thing.
A second hint is to remember that you don’t need to memorize the details, places, events, names or dates of the case study. You need to focus on understanding the arguments, which could be made using other case studies as well. So, keep this in mind and focus on the analysis and theoretical ideas behind the text. Don't get stuck in the details about this mine in particular.
Finally, I had assigned the introduction and the chapter about the pit, but I decided that we can focus solely on the introduction and make a careful reading of it. If you wish to have the whole book, send me an email, and I will share it with you.
You have until 2:00 pm Monday june 1 to send your texts or upload them to moodle.
Have a nice reading.
-
The book is about the history of copper open-pit mining in the US, specifically, through the case of the Bingham pit in Utah. The book is an excellent example of a historical account and analysis where technology, expertise, human and non-human agents are at play. In the introduction, the author makes two compelling arguments:
First, we have learned to ignore the systems of what he calls “mass destruction”, and instead, to focus and glorified mass production and mass consumption. Nonetheless, the three systems are interrelated and inseparable.
Second, open pit-mining (or the system of mass destruction as he refers to it) is an ultimate expression of western society's relationship with nature, where we conceive humans and their technological systems as distinct and separate from nature. This relationship is dangerous and has started to show its limits.
This week’s activity is a short writing exercise, where you will explain these two arguments to someone who has not read the book. In other words, imagine that you are explaining the introduction of the book to a friend of you in an informal conversation, and try to put it in writing in your own words. Be concrete, one page should be enough.
A hint for the reading: the text starts with a (longer than I like) story about a house that belonged to both, Daniel Jackling (the man who perfection the open-pit mining) and Steve Jobs. The story is intended to introduce the first argument. During a seminar where we read the same text, many students focused their writing and discussion almost solely in that story (maybe they did not read the whole chapter?) Please don’t do so!!! The real arguments begin after the fourth page. The story of the house is definitely not the important thing.
A second hint is to remember that you don’t need to memorize the details, places, events, names or dates of the case study. You need to focus on understanding the arguments, which could be made using other case studies as well. So, keep this in mind and focus on the analysis and theoretical ideas behind the text. Don't get stuck in the details about this mine in particular.
Finally, I had assigned the introduction and the chapter about the pit, but I decided that we can focus solely on the introduction and make a careful reading of it. If you wish to have the whole book, send me an email, and I will share it with you.
You have until 2:00 pm Monday june 1 to send your texts or upload them to moodle.
Have a nice reading.
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This week, we are going to read three short pieces related to the transportation of commodities.
1. The first piece is an excerpt from Anna Tsing's article «The global situation» published in Cultural anthropology 15, n.3 (2000): 327-60. Here please look for the section called "circulation" (about two pages). You can also read the first couple of pages as an introduction to know what the general picture of the paper is (of course if you prefer you can read all of it!). This text will give us some ideas and theory about globalization to helps us think about "moving" commodities.
2. The text "the pipeline revolution" written in 1962 by Gerald Manners. Here, we are interested in pipes as a mode of transport, the material characteristics of the infrastructure and of the commodities that can be transported with it. Also, the reasons why pipelines began to be used, the advantages they present and their relation to other types of transport (tankers). It is pretty easy to read, but you can just skim through the article since many details can be overlooked. I left my highlighting text to facilitate the reading.
3. The magazine article by Charmaine Chua called «The Container. Stacking, Packing, And Moving The World» published in The Funambulist. Here we will read about the container as an innovation that revolutionized logistics.
For each of the documents write 3 to 5 bullet points that summarize the main ideas or arguments of the text. They should be very short and concise. Think of them as the elevator pitch of the article. If you prefer, you can write a paragraph that articulates the bullet points and summarizes the text. Do what helps you most to remember the ideas of the text.
Additionally, write three subjects or questions that you would like to discuss during the zoom session. Be specific enough so a good conversation can emerge from your idea. I will select some of these for our discussion on Tuesday.
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This week, we are going to read three short pieces related to the transportation of commodities.
1. The first piece is an excerpt from Anna Tsing's article «The global situation» published in Cultural anthropology 15, n.3 (2000): 327-60. Here please look for the section called "circulation" (about two pages). You can also read the first couple of pages as an introduction to know what the general picture of the paper is (of course if you prefer you can read all of it!). This text will give us some ideas and theory about globalization to helps us think about "moving" commodities.
2. The text "the pipeline revolution" written in 1962 by Gerald Manners. Here, we are interested in pipes as a mode of transport, the material characteristics of the infrastructure and of the commodities that can be transported with it. Also, the reasons why pipelines began to be used, the advantages they present and their relation to other types of transport (tankers). It is pretty easy to read, but you can just skim through the article since many details can be overlooked. I left my highlighting text to facilitate the reading.
3. The magazine article by Charmaine Chua called «The Container. Stacking, Packing, And Moving The World» published in The Funambulist. Here we will read about the container as an innovation that revolutionized logistics.
For each of the documents write 3 to 5 bullet points that summarize the main ideas or arguments of the text. They should be very short and concise. Think of them as the elevator pitch of the article. If you prefer, you can write a paragraph that articulates the bullet points and summarizes the text. Do what helps you most to remember the ideas of the text.
Additionally, write three subjects or questions that you would like to discuss during the zoom session. Be specific enough so a good conversation can emerge from your idea. I will select some of these for our discussion on Tuesday.
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This week, we are going to read three short pieces related to the transportation of commodities.
1. The first piece is an excerpt from Anna Tsing's article «The global situation» published in Cultural anthropology 15, n.3 (2000): 327-60. Here please look for the section called "circulation" (about two pages). You can also read the first couple of pages as an introduction to know what the general picture of the paper is (of course if you prefer you can read all of it!). This text will give us some ideas and theory about globalization to helps us think about "moving" commodities.
2. The text "the pipeline revolution" written in 1962 by Gerald Manners. Here, we are interested in pipes as a mode of transport, the material characteristics of the infrastructure and of the commodities that can be transported with it. Also, the reasons why pipelines began to be used, the advantages they present and their relation to other types of transport (tankers). It is pretty easy to read, but you can just skim through the article since many details can be overlooked. I left my highlighting text to facilitate the reading.
3. The magazine article by Charmaine Chua called «The Container. Stacking, Packing, And Moving The World» published in The Funambulist. Here we will read about the container as an innovation that revolutionized logistics.
For each of the documents write 3 to 5 bullet points that summarize the main ideas or arguments of the text. They should be very short and concise. Think of them as the elevator pitch of the article. If you prefer, you can write a paragraph that articulates the bullet points and summarizes the text. Do what helps you most to remember the ideas of the text.
Additionally, write three subjects or questions that you would like to discuss during the zoom session. Be specific enough so a good conversation can emerge from your idea. I will select some of these for our discussion on Tuesday.
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This week, we are going to read three short pieces related to the transportation of commodities.
1. The first piece is an excerpt from Anna Tsing's article «The global situation» published in Cultural anthropology 15, n.3 (2000): 327-60. Here please look for the section called "circulation" (about two pages). You can also read the first couple of pages as an introduction to know what the general picture of the paper is (of course if you prefer you can read all of it!). This text will give us some ideas and theory about globalization to helps us think about "moving" commodities.
2. The text "the pipeline revolution" written in 1962 by Gerald Manners. Here, we are interested in pipes as a mode of transport, the material characteristics of the infrastructure and of the commodities that can be transported with it. Also, the reasons why pipelines began to be used, the advantages they present and their relation to other types of transport (tankers). It is pretty easy to read, but you can just skim through the article since many details can be overlooked. I left my highlighting text to facilitate the reading.
3. The magazine article by Charmaine Chua called «The Container. Stacking, Packing, And Moving The World» published in The Funambulist. Here we will read about the container as an innovation that revolutionized logistics.
For each of the documents write 3 to 5 bullet points that summarize the main ideas or arguments of the text. They should be very short and concise. Think of them as the elevator pitch of the article. If you prefer, you can write a paragraph that articulates the bullet points and summarizes the text. Do what helps you most to remember the ideas of the text.
Additionally, write three subjects or questions that you would like to discuss during the zoom session. Be specific enough so a good conversation can emerge from your idea. I will select some of these for our discussion on Tuesday.
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This week we are going to read the introduction to the book by the geographer Andrew Barry. Material Politics: Disputes along the Pipeline. As the assigned activity for this week, make the bullet points again with the main arguments of the chapter, and the list of topics or questions for discussion.
We will read other chapters in the following two weeks. By continuing reading the book, we will have a better perspective of the arguments of the author and how he applies the theoretical framework outlined in the introduction. This book, in particular, allow us to continue discussing topics such as the transportation of commodities, as it introduces other themes that are common in STS research about natural resources: knowledge controversies, the production of information and the role of expert knowledge, social technologies such as transparency and Corporate Social Responsibility, governmentality, projects impacts, among others.
The assignment is due on Monday 15 at 2:00 pm.
Enjoy the reading.
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This week we are going to read the introduction to the book by the geographer Andrew Barry. Material Politics: Disputes along the Pipeline. As the assigned activity for this week, make the bullet points again with the main arguments of the chapter, and the list of topics or questions for discussion.
We will read other chapters in the following two weeks. By continuing reading the book, we will have a better perspective of the arguments of the author and how he applies the theoretical framework outlined in the introduction. This book, in particular, allow us to continue discussing topics such as the transportation of commodities, as it introduces other themes that are common in STS research about natural resources: knowledge controversies, the production of information and the role of expert knowledge, social technologies such as transparency and Corporate Social Responsibility, governmentality, projects impacts, among others.
The assignment is due on Monday 15 at 2:00 pm.
Enjoy the reading.
-
This week we are going to read the introduction to the book by the geographer Andrew Barry. Material Politics: Disputes along the Pipeline. As the assigned activity for this week, make the bullet points again with the main arguments of the chapter, and the list of topics or questions for discussion.
We will read other chapters in the following two weeks. By continuing reading the book, we will have a better perspective of the arguments of the author and how he applies the theoretical framework outlined in the introduction. This book, in particular, allow us to continue discussing topics such as the transportation of commodities, as it introduces other themes that are common in STS research about natural resources: knowledge controversies, the production of information and the role of expert knowledge, social technologies such as transparency and Corporate Social Responsibility, governmentality, projects impacts, among others.
The assignment is due on Monday 15 at 2:00 pm.
Enjoy the reading.
-
This week we are going to read the introduction to the book by the geographer Andrew Barry. Material Politics: Disputes along the Pipeline. As the assigned activity for this week, make the bullet points again with the main arguments of the chapter, and the list of topics or questions for discussion.
We will read other chapters in the following two weeks. By continuing reading the book, we will have a better perspective of the arguments of the author and how he applies the theoretical framework outlined in the introduction. This book, in particular, allow us to continue discussing topics such as the transportation of commodities, as it introduces other themes that are common in STS research about natural resources: knowledge controversies, the production of information and the role of expert knowledge, social technologies such as transparency and Corporate Social Responsibility, governmentality, projects impacts, among others.
The assignment is due on Monday 15 at 2:00 pm.
Enjoy the reading.
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This week we will continue reading Barry's book this and the following week. We will discuss next Tuesday, June 23, Chapters 3 (Transparency's Witness) and 4 (Ethical Performances).
I suggest you also read pages 31-33 and 56-56 on chapter 2 to know what it is about.
To prioritize reading, the assigned activity will be only to read and send me the highlighted text. (If you prefer, send me your notes or comments, whatever you find easy and does not take much time. Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback).
You have until Monday. Even though you will not have to write anything as the assigned activity, while reading, think of what you would like to discuss and note any questions you might have. I will bring some points for discussion as well.
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This week we will continue reading Barry's book this and the following week. We will discuss next Tuesday, June 23, Chapters 3 (Transparency's Witness) and 4 (Ethical Performances).
I suggest you also read pages 31-33 and 56-56 on chapter 2 to know what it is about.
To prioritize reading, the assigned activity will be only to read and send me the highlighted text. (If you prefer, send me your notes or comments, whatever you find easy and does not take much time. Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback).
You have until Monday. Even though you will not have to write anything as the assigned activity, while reading, think of what you would like to discuss and note any questions you might have. I will bring some points for discussion as well.
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This week we will continue reading Barry's book this and the following week. We will discuss next Tuesday, June 23, Chapters 3 (Transparency's Witness) and 4 (Ethical Performances).
I suggest you also read pages 31-33 and 56-56 on chapter 2 to know what it is about.
To prioritize reading, the assigned activity will be only to read and send me the highlighted text. (If you prefer, send me your notes or comments, whatever you find easy and does not take much time. Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback).
You have until Monday. Even though you will not have to write anything as the assigned activity, while reading, think of what you would like to discuss and note any questions you might have. I will bring some points for discussion as well.
-
This week we will continue reading Barry's book this and the following week. We will discuss next Tuesday, June 23, Chapters 3 (Transparency's Witness) and 4 (Ethical Performances).
I suggest you also read pages 31-33 and 56-56 on chapter 2 to know what it is about.
To prioritize reading, the assigned activity will be only to read and send me the highlighted text. (If you prefer, send me your notes or comments, whatever you find easy and does not take much time. Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback).
You have until Monday. Even though you will not have to write anything as the assigned activity, while reading, think of what you would like to discuss and note any questions you might have. I will bring some points for discussion as well.
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This week we will continue with Barry's book. Chapters 5 (The affected Public) and 6 (Visible impacts). Once again, we will prioritize reading, so as assigned activity send your highlights, notes or comments.
Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading, please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback.
You have until Monday.
Have a nice reading.
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In Chapter 4, Barry analyses activist and artists denouncing of the impacts of the pipeline as following a logic of abduction. To present this argument, Barry builds on the term "abduction" as coined by pragmatist Philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce. Very broadly, abduction means to take a true premise (or observation) to present a conclusion (a generalization) that is not necessarily true. As presented in the book, there is a logic of abduction when activist portray a specific situation from the BTC controversy as representative of a broader "political situation" (the unethical behaviour of the Oil industry).
Check this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Peirce on Abduction to deepen on the concept.
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As Barry mentions, CSR is a highly performative practice. This leads to the problem that Company's focus more on reporting requirements and on looking "ethical" through nicely crafted reports that are distributed to Stakeholders. Here is an example of a Sustainability report by Cerrejón, the coal corporation I always use as an example. If one reads the report without a critical eye, it sounds like the coal company is the enactment of ethical behaviour. Extractive industries companies usually publish this kind of reports yearly following the GRI reporting standard (https://www.globalreporting.org/information/about-gri/Pages/default.aspx). This makes reporting a widely standardized matter that might lead to further problems, such as the framing of what ethical behaviour is. As express in Barry's book:
As Michael Power (2007a) argues, there is a weakness in the idea that ethical conduct is best improved through communication of its performance to others: the danger is that businesses become preoccupied with reporting requirements, such that they behave ethically primarily for the sake of these reports. Indeed, the interests of business in demonstrating ethical conduct – by meeting standards and guidelines and making its commitment to corporate social responsibility public – may lead it to neglect those aspects of its conduct that cannot easily be measured or publicised, or that are not the subject of demands and expectations on the part of regulators, the legal system or even critics. At the same time, published accounts of ethical conduct may function as a way of defending businesses against criticism; while critics, in turn, can become preoccupied with the ethical performance of business as it comes to be defined by international standards." (Ch 4 - P 80)
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This week we will continue with Barry's book. Chapters 5 (The affected Public) and 6 (Visible impacts). Once again, we will prioritize reading, so as assigned activity send your highlights, notes or comments.
Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading, please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback.
You have until Monday.
Have a nice reading.
-
In Chapter 4, Barry analyses activist and artists denouncing of the impacts of the pipeline as following a logic of abduction. To present this argument, Barry builds on the term "abduction" as coined by pragmatist Philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce. Very broadly, abduction means to take a true premise (or observation) to present a conclusion (a generalization) that is not necessarily true. As presented in the book, there is a logic of abduction when activist portray a specific situation from the BTC controversy as representative of a broader "political situation" (the unethical behaviour of the Oil industry).
Check this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Peirce on Abduction to deepen on the concept.
-
As Barry mentions, CSR is a highly performative practice. This leads to the problem that Company's focus more on reporting requirements and on looking "ethical" through nicely crafted reports that are distributed to Stakeholders. Here is an example of a Sustainability report by Cerrejón, the coal corporation I always use as an example. If one reads the report without a critical eye, it sounds like the coal company is the enactment of ethical behaviour. Extractive industries companies usually publish this kind of reports yearly following the GRI reporting standard (https://www.globalreporting.org/information/about-gri/Pages/default.aspx). This makes reporting a widely standardized matter that might lead to further problems, such as the framing of what ethical behaviour is. As express in Barry's book:
As Michael Power (2007a) argues, there is a weakness in the idea that ethical conduct is best improved through communication of its performance to others: the danger is that businesses become preoccupied with reporting requirements, such that they behave ethically primarily for the sake of these reports. Indeed, the interests of business in demonstrating ethical conduct – by meeting standards and guidelines and making its commitment to corporate social responsibility public – may lead it to neglect those aspects of its conduct that cannot easily be measured or publicised, or that are not the subject of demands and expectations on the part of regulators, the legal system or even critics. At the same time, published accounts of ethical conduct may function as a way of defending businesses against criticism; while critics, in turn, can become preoccupied with the ethical performance of business as it comes to be defined by international standards." (Ch 4 - P 80)
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This week we will continue with Barry's book. Chapters 5 (The affected Public) and 6 (Visible impacts). Once again, we will prioritize reading, so as assigned activity send your highlights, notes or comments.
Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading, please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback.
You have until Monday.
Have a nice reading.
-
In Chapter 4, Barry analyses activist and artists denouncing of the impacts of the pipeline as following a logic of abduction. To present this argument, Barry builds on the term "abduction" as coined by pragmatist Philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce. Very broadly, abduction means to take a true premise (or observation) to present a conclusion (a generalization) that is not necessarily true. As presented in the book, there is a logic of abduction when activist portray a specific situation from the BTC controversy as representative of a broader "political situation" (the unethical behaviour of the Oil industry).
Check this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Peirce on Abduction to deepen on the concept.
-
As Barry mentions, CSR is a highly performative practice. This leads to the problem that Company's focus more on reporting requirements and on looking "ethical" through nicely crafted reports that are distributed to Stakeholders. Here is an example of a Sustainability report by Cerrejón, the coal corporation I always use as an example. If one reads the report without a critical eye, it sounds like the coal company is the enactment of ethical behaviour. Extractive industries companies usually publish this kind of reports yearly following the GRI reporting standard (https://www.globalreporting.org/information/about-gri/Pages/default.aspx). This makes reporting a widely standardized matter that might lead to further problems, such as the framing of what ethical behaviour is. As express in Barry's book:
As Michael Power (2007a) argues, there is a weakness in the idea that ethical conduct is best improved through communication of its performance to others: the danger is that businesses become preoccupied with reporting requirements, such that they behave ethically primarily for the sake of these reports. Indeed, the interests of business in demonstrating ethical conduct – by meeting standards and guidelines and making its commitment to corporate social responsibility public – may lead it to neglect those aspects of its conduct that cannot easily be measured or publicised, or that are not the subject of demands and expectations on the part of regulators, the legal system or even critics. At the same time, published accounts of ethical conduct may function as a way of defending businesses against criticism; while critics, in turn, can become preoccupied with the ethical performance of business as it comes to be defined by international standards." (Ch 4 - P 80)
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This week we will continue with Barry's book. Chapters 5 (The affected Public) and 6 (Visible impacts). Once again, we will prioritize reading, so as assigned activity send your highlights, notes or comments.
Feedback will be provided in the zoom discussion, so if you are not coming and want some feedback in your reading, please send your question and explicitly ask for the feedback.
You have until Monday.
Have a nice reading.
-
In Chapter 4, Barry analyses activist and artists denouncing of the impacts of the pipeline as following a logic of abduction. To present this argument, Barry builds on the term "abduction" as coined by pragmatist Philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce. Very broadly, abduction means to take a true premise (or observation) to present a conclusion (a generalization) that is not necessarily true. As presented in the book, there is a logic of abduction when activist portray a specific situation from the BTC controversy as representative of a broader "political situation" (the unethical behaviour of the Oil industry).
Check this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Peirce on Abduction to deepen on the concept.
-
As Barry mentions, CSR is a highly performative practice. This leads to the problem that Company's focus more on reporting requirements and on looking "ethical" through nicely crafted reports that are distributed to Stakeholders. Here is an example of a Sustainability report by Cerrejón, the coal corporation I always use as an example. If one reads the report without a critical eye, it sounds like the coal company is the enactment of ethical behaviour. Extractive industries companies usually publish this kind of reports yearly following the GRI reporting standard (https://www.globalreporting.org/information/about-gri/Pages/default.aspx). This makes reporting a widely standardized matter that might lead to further problems, such as the framing of what ethical behaviour is. As express in Barry's book:
As Michael Power (2007a) argues, there is a weakness in the idea that ethical conduct is best improved through communication of its performance to others: the danger is that businesses become preoccupied with reporting requirements, such that they behave ethically primarily for the sake of these reports. Indeed, the interests of business in demonstrating ethical conduct – by meeting standards and guidelines and making its commitment to corporate social responsibility public – may lead it to neglect those aspects of its conduct that cannot easily be measured or publicised, or that are not the subject of demands and expectations on the part of regulators, the legal system or even critics. At the same time, published accounts of ethical conduct may function as a way of defending businesses against criticism; while critics, in turn, can become preoccupied with the ethical performance of business as it comes to be defined by international standards." (Ch 4 - P 80)
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This week we will finish the book: chapters 7 (Material Politics) and 8 (Economy and the archive) and Conclusions.
As an assigned activity, send your highlights, notes or comments. And additionally write a short answer to the following question: how did the book Material Politics help you with your own thesis? This question is intended to elicit reflection on how this particular book or the experience of reading a whole book is helpful for your own process of becoming a researcher. Think that it is not necessary to have a direct connection with the book's theme to benefit from it. Its influence in your own process can range from having found an interesting concept or point of view, to think about how a text should be organized to make it appealing to the reader, or even to see options in term of methodologies.
You have until Monday to send your answers.
Have a nice reading.
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I found it interesting to read how the Wikipedia page describes the project, on what it focuses attention, and how it refers (very briefly) to Human Rights and environmental issues. They talk about the seismic concern and briefly mention the Baku Ceyhan Campaign. Aside from that, for what the page describes, the project is running smoothly.
Other interesting links I found were:
- webpage of the European Bank with links to the EIA documents (some examples of the "Transparency" and publication of information) https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/esia/baku-tbilisi-ceyhan-(btc)-pipeline.html
-a short review in the webpage of BP Azerbaijan describing the project as highly beneficial and also running smoothly: https://www.bp.com/en_az/azerbaijan/home/who-we-are/operationsprojects/pipelines/btc.html
Most of the press basically supports the idea that the pipeline tends to be presented as an example of CSR and good corporate practice by financiers and corporations.
-webpages about the campaign and the activist opposition are from 2012 and older. I was not able to find in a quick search for any current issue. Older webpages mentioned that the company did not fulfil many of its agreements and that there are human rights concerns with its construction: https://www.theguardian.com/observer/business/ethics/story/0,12651,851000,00.html
It is nonetheless apparently watched by NGOs that pay attention to these kinds of projects, but no doubt that it has lost relevance as a controversy, and that conflicts (if any significant) remain in the local scene: https://www.eca-watch.org/dodgy-deals/baku-t%E2%80%99bilisi-ceyhan-oil-pipeline-btc-pipeline
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This week we will finish the book: chapters 7 (Material Politics) and 8 (Economy and the archive) and Conclusions.
As an assigned activity, send your highlights, notes or comments. And additionally write a short answer to the following question: how did the book Material Politics help you with your own thesis? This question is intended to elicit reflection on how this particular book or the experience of reading a whole book is helpful for your own process of becoming a researcher. Think that it is not necessary to have a direct connection with the book's theme to benefit from it. Its influence in your own process can range from having found an interesting concept or point of view, to think about how a text should be organized to make it appealing to the reader, or even to see options in term of methodologies.
You have until Monday to send your answers.
Have a nice reading.
-
I found it interesting to read how the Wikipedia page describes the project, on what it focuses attention, and how it refers (very briefly) to Human Rights and environmental issues. They talk about the seismic concern and briefly mention the Baku Ceyhan Campaign. Aside from that, for what the page describes, the project is running smoothly.
Other interesting links I found were:
- webpage of the European Bank with links to the EIA documents (some examples of the "Transparency" and publication of information) https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/esia/baku-tbilisi-ceyhan-(btc)-pipeline.html
-a short review in the webpage of BP Azerbaijan describing the project as highly beneficial and also running smoothly: https://www.bp.com/en_az/azerbaijan/home/who-we-are/operationsprojects/pipelines/btc.html
Most of the press basically supports the idea that the pipeline tends to be presented as an example of CSR and good corporate practice by financiers and corporations.
-webpages about the campaign and the activist opposition are from 2012 and older. I was not able to find in a quick search for any current issue. Older webpages mentioned that the company did not fulfil many of its agreements and that there are human rights concerns with its construction: https://www.theguardian.com/observer/business/ethics/story/0,12651,851000,00.html
It is nonetheless apparently watched by NGOs that pay attention to these kinds of projects, but no doubt that it has lost relevance as a controversy, and that conflicts (if any significant) remain in the local scene: https://www.eca-watch.org/dodgy-deals/baku-t%E2%80%99bilisi-ceyhan-oil-pipeline-btc-pipeline
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This week we will finish the book: chapters 7 (Material Politics) and 8 (Economy and the archive) and Conclusions.
As an assigned activity, send your highlights, notes or comments. And additionally write a short answer to the following question: how did the book Material Politics help you with your own thesis? This question is intended to elicit reflection on how this particular book or the experience of reading a whole book is helpful for your own process of becoming a researcher. Think that it is not necessary to have a direct connection with the book's theme to benefit from it. Its influence in your own process can range from having found an interesting concept or point of view, to think about how a text should be organized to make it appealing to the reader, or even to see options in term of methodologies.
You have until Monday to send your answers.
Have a nice reading.
-
I found it interesting to read how the Wikipedia page describes the project, on what it focuses attention, and how it refers (very briefly) to Human Rights and environmental issues. They talk about the seismic concern and briefly mention the Baku Ceyhan Campaign. Aside from that, for what the page describes, the project is running smoothly.
Other interesting links I found were:
- webpage of the European Bank with links to the EIA documents (some examples of the "Transparency" and publication of information) https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/esia/baku-tbilisi-ceyhan-(btc)-pipeline.html
-a short review in the webpage of BP Azerbaijan describing the project as highly beneficial and also running smoothly: https://www.bp.com/en_az/azerbaijan/home/who-we-are/operationsprojects/pipelines/btc.html
Most of the press basically supports the idea that the pipeline tends to be presented as an example of CSR and good corporate practice by financiers and corporations.
-webpages about the campaign and the activist opposition are from 2012 and older. I was not able to find in a quick search for any current issue. Older webpages mentioned that the company did not fulfil many of its agreements and that there are human rights concerns with its construction: https://www.theguardian.com/observer/business/ethics/story/0,12651,851000,00.html
It is nonetheless apparently watched by NGOs that pay attention to these kinds of projects, but no doubt that it has lost relevance as a controversy, and that conflicts (if any significant) remain in the local scene: https://www.eca-watch.org/dodgy-deals/baku-t%E2%80%99bilisi-ceyhan-oil-pipeline-btc-pipeline
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This week we will finish the book: chapters 7 (Material Politics) and 8 (Economy and the archive) and Conclusions.
As an assigned activity, send your highlights, notes or comments. And additionally write a short answer to the following question: how did the book Material Politics help you with your own thesis? This question is intended to elicit reflection on how this particular book or the experience of reading a whole book is helpful for your own process of becoming a researcher. Think that it is not necessary to have a direct connection with the book's theme to benefit from it. Its influence in your own process can range from having found an interesting concept or point of view, to think about how a text should be organized to make it appealing to the reader, or even to see options in term of methodologies.
You have until Monday to send your answers.
Have a nice reading.
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I found it interesting to read how the Wikipedia page describes the project, on what it focuses attention, and how it refers (very briefly) to Human Rights and environmental issues. They talk about the seismic concern and briefly mention the Baku Ceyhan Campaign. Aside from that, for what the page describes, the project is running smoothly.
Other interesting links I found were:
- webpage of the European Bank with links to the EIA documents (some examples of the "Transparency" and publication of information) https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/esia/baku-tbilisi-ceyhan-(btc)-pipeline.html
-a short review in the webpage of BP Azerbaijan describing the project as highly beneficial and also running smoothly: https://www.bp.com/en_az/azerbaijan/home/who-we-are/operationsprojects/pipelines/btc.html
Most of the press basically supports the idea that the pipeline tends to be presented as an example of CSR and good corporate practice by financiers and corporations.
-webpages about the campaign and the activist opposition are from 2012 and older. I was not able to find in a quick search for any current issue. Older webpages mentioned that the company did not fulfil many of its agreements and that there are human rights concerns with its construction: https://www.theguardian.com/observer/business/ethics/story/0,12651,851000,00.html
It is nonetheless apparently watched by NGOs that pay attention to these kinds of projects, but no doubt that it has lost relevance as a controversy, and that conflicts (if any significant) remain in the local scene: https://www.eca-watch.org/dodgy-deals/baku-t%E2%80%99bilisi-ceyhan-oil-pipeline-btc-pipeline
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Hi all,
So our last week and meeting have arrived, and I want to take the opportunity to share with you our recently published article about expertise in an environmental controversy surrounding the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia.
Aside from knowing a bit more of my work, and going deeper into an anthropological-STS perspective on environmental controversies and resource extraction, this short article works as an example for how to structure a paper and combine ethnographic writing with theoretical analysis and literature review. So look at it also in those terms, which can help you write your own papers later (that is something you can also do with other articles or chapters you read through the master).
Also, remember to read from your own expertise... if you are in transcultural studies, read from that perspective! If you are a geographer, think about the geographical problems entwined in the case. Same applies if you are interested in controversies, business studies, STS in general, or even engineering and management. Remember that our bachelor and master formation usually is what will give us the lenses to look at the world. That includes reading things apparently are not related to us and find connecting points.
As an assigned activity, I ask you to answer the following questions:
1. what did you find the most interesting about the article?
2. what did you find hard to understand or did not like? (Be honest! Don't think you'll be speaking with the author)
3. And the question from last week, which I suggest you ask yourselves after every reading: how does it relate to my own research interest or is helpful for my thesis/work?
Have a nice last week.
-
Hi all,
So our last week and meeting have arrived, and I want to take the opportunity to share with you our recently published article about expertise in an environmental controversy surrounding the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia.
Aside from knowing a bit more of my work, and going deeper into an anthropological-STS perspective on environmental controversies and resource extraction, this short article works as an example for how to structure a paper and combine ethnographic writing with theoretical analysis and literature review. So look at it also in those terms, which can help you write your own papers later (that is something you can also do with other articles or chapters you read through the master).
Also, remember to read from your own expertise... if you are in transcultural studies, read from that perspective! If you are a geographer, think about the geographical problems entwined in the case. Same applies if you are interested in controversies, business studies, STS in general, or even engineering and management. Remember that our bachelor and master formation usually is what will give us the lenses to look at the world. That includes reading things apparently are not related to us and find connecting points.
As an assigned activity, I ask you to answer the following questions:
1. what did you find the most interesting about the article?
2. what did you find hard to understand or did not like? (Be honest! Don't think you'll be speaking with the author)
3. And the question from last week, which I suggest you ask yourselves after every reading: how does it relate to my own research interest or is helpful for my thesis/work?
Have a nice last week.
-
Hi all,
So our last week and meeting have arrived, and I want to take the opportunity to share with you our recently published article about expertise in an environmental controversy surrounding the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia.
Aside from knowing a bit more of my work, and going deeper into an anthropological-STS perspective on environmental controversies and resource extraction, this short article works as an example for how to structure a paper and combine ethnographic writing with theoretical analysis and literature review. So look at it also in those terms, which can help you write your own papers later (that is something you can also do with other articles or chapters you read through the master).
Also, remember to read from your own expertise... if you are in transcultural studies, read from that perspective! If you are a geographer, think about the geographical problems entwined in the case. Same applies if you are interested in controversies, business studies, STS in general, or even engineering and management. Remember that our bachelor and master formation usually is what will give us the lenses to look at the world. That includes reading things apparently are not related to us and find connecting points.
As an assigned activity, I ask you to answer the following questions:
1. what did you find the most interesting about the article?
2. what did you find hard to understand or did not like? (Be honest! Don't think you'll be speaking with the author)
3. And the question from last week, which I suggest you ask yourselves after every reading: how does it relate to my own research interest or is helpful for my thesis/work?
Have a nice last week.
-
Hi all,
So our last week and meeting have arrived, and I want to take the opportunity to share with you our recently published article about expertise in an environmental controversy surrounding the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia.
Aside from knowing a bit more of my work, and going deeper into an anthropological-STS perspective on environmental controversies and resource extraction, this short article works as an example for how to structure a paper and combine ethnographic writing with theoretical analysis and literature review. So look at it also in those terms, which can help you write your own papers later (that is something you can also do with other articles or chapters you read through the master).
Also, remember to read from your own expertise... if you are in transcultural studies, read from that perspective! If you are a geographer, think about the geographical problems entwined in the case. Same applies if you are interested in controversies, business studies, STS in general, or even engineering and management. Remember that our bachelor and master formation usually is what will give us the lenses to look at the world. That includes reading things apparently are not related to us and find connecting points.
As an assigned activity, I ask you to answer the following questions:
1. what did you find the most interesting about the article?
2. what did you find hard to understand or did not like? (Be honest! Don't think you'll be speaking with the author)
3. And the question from last week, which I suggest you ask yourselves after every reading: how does it relate to my own research interest or is helpful for my thesis/work?
Have a nice last week.