Political Ecology of Land: Planning, Property Rights and Land Stewardship

Fall 2012 and Winter 2013 quarters

Faculty

Jennifer Gerend urban planning , Ralph Murphy political science and economics

Fields of Study

American studies, community studies, economics, environmental studies, government, law and government policy and sustainability studies

Preparatory for studies or careers in

land use and environmental planning, policy development and fiscal analysis, environmental and natural resource management, and community development.

Description

This program will provide an interdisciplinary, in-depth focus on how land has been viewed and treated by humans historically and in contemporary times. We will give special attention to the political, economic, social/cultural, environmental and justice contexts of land use. We will also look at land ethics, concepts of land ownership, and efforts to regulate land uses and protect lands that have been defined as valuable by society.

To understand the context, role and purposes of land use policy and regulation, the following topics and social science disciplines will be used to evaluate human treatment of land primarily in the United States: history and theory of land use planning; economic and community development; the structure and function of American government and federalism; public policy formation and implementation; contemporary land use planning and growth management; elements of environmental and land use law; economics; fiscal analysis of state and local governments; and selected applications of qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as statistics and GIS. Taken together, these topics will help us examine the diversity of ideas, theories and skills required for developing an in-depth analysis of land issues. Our goal is to have students leave the program with a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of issues surrounding land use planning, restoration, urban redevelopment, stewardship and conservation.

The program will include lectures, seminars, guest speakers, films, research methods workshops, field trips in western Washington and individual and group research projects and presentations. Fall quarter will focus on developing an understanding of the political and economic history that brought about the need for land use regulation. This will include understanding the political, legal, theoretical and economic context. Winter quarter will continue these themes into contemporary applications and the professional world of land use planning, such as the Washington Growth Management Act, historic preservation and shoreline management. Students will leave the program with the foundation to prepare them for internships or potential careers in land use policy and management.

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Offered During

Day