LNAK10017U Participatory Forest Management

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Agricultural Development
MSc Programme in Sustainable Tropical Forestry (SUTROFOR)
Content
Emphasis is on the political and socio-economic aspects of participatory/community forestry as a means to promote rural development and conserve forest/natural resources in an equitable manner. Central themes are the theoretical foundation of participatory/community forestry vis á vis the tragedy of the (unmanaged) commons, conflict management, institutional arrangements, policy, legislation and economic incentives. Issues include how to identify legitimate stakeholders in participatory/community forestry, locally and externally determined factors that are likely to promote or undermine the success of participatory/community forestry, how the political and legislative environment influences participatory/community forestry and how participatory/community forestry may be implemented in practice.
Learning Outcome
The main objective of the course is to give the students a thorough understanding of how and under which circumstances participatory forest management (PFM)/community forestry (CF) may contribute to rural development, forest/nature conservation as well as good governance at the local level. 

After completing the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge:
• Describe the concept of PFM and CF, including the history, the theoretical foundation within common pool resource management, the importance of political, legal and institutional frameworks as well as how the concept may be applied in practice. 
• Describe the potentials of PFM/CF in serving the triple objective of rural development, forest/nature conservation and good governance at the local level. 

Skills:
• Critically analyse and discuss the real-life feasibility of achieving the triple objective of PFM/CF including how and under which circumstances these objectives may conflict in practice.
• Apply the theoretical framework on literature cases and in 'real life' situations. 

Competences:
• Put the opportunities and constraints of PFM/CF as into a broader development perspective.
• Cooperate with fellow students on analysing and communicating (in writing) PFM/CF cases from different developing countries.
Please refer to the course homepage in Absalon
None
The course draws on basic elements of economic theory, political ecology and management of renewable natural resources all or part of which are introduced in a wide range of undergraduate programmes.

The two courses; LOJK10209 Applied Socio-economics in Tropical Forestry and LFKK10258 Qualitative Metods in Agricultural Development offer useful but not critical additional background knowledge.
1. E-learning (e-modules): internet-based teaching modules integrating literature studies and exercises. Exercises relate to theory (multiple-choice and free text exercises) and case studies (free text only). E-learning will be supported by on-line discussions in which students are expected to participate.
2. In addition, a number of presentations, analyses and discussions of selected topics and cases as class room sessions.
The course is, however, designed for distance learners and the class room sessions are only a supplement to the e-learning activities mentioned under point 1.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 16
  • Guidance
  • 5
  • Preparation
  • 120
  • Theory exercises
  • 65
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Written assignment, Two essays
The examination form is Continuous Assessment, which includes the following elements:

1. Individual exercises (questionnaires and e-tivities) which will be completed throughout the course

2. Two tutor marked written assignments; one to be submitted approximately half way through the course and one to be submitted at the end of the course.

In the final mark the exercises mentioned under point 1 count 50% while each of the tutor marked assignments count 25%.
Exam registration requirements
None
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral.
Criteria for exam assesment
Reference is made to the above mentioned learning objectives of the course.

Students who score 90% or higher in the combined assessment of  questionnaire answers, the on-line discussions and the two tutor marked assignments (c.f. above) will get the grade 12