Palacký University Olomouc
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for academic year 2025/2026
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Course: South Asia?s Environmental Politics

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Course title South Asia?s Environmental Politics
Course code DAS/SAEP
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Turcsányi Richard, Ing. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Naseer Shirin
Course content
1. Introduction: South Asia´s Environmental and Political Landscape, 2. Theoretical Frameworks I: Political Ecology, Resource Governance, and Climate Justice, 3. Theoretical Frameworks II: Regionalism, Development, and Environmental Security, 4. India: Domestic Politics of Water and Resource Governance, 5. Pakistan: Environmental Challenges and Geopolitical Tensions, 6. Bangladesh: Climate Adaptation and Global Leadership, 7. Nepal: The Politics of High Mountains and Melting Glaciers, 8. Sri Lanka & The Maldives: Climate Vulnerability and International Advocacy, 9. Afghanistan´s Environmental Crossroads: Conflict and Climate, 10. Air Pollution and Energy Politics: Domestic Priorities and Regional Spillovers, 11. Gender, Society, and Cultural Dimensions of Environmental Politics, 12. Conclusion: South Asia in Global Climate Politics & Environmental Futures

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
This course explores the intersection of environmental challenges and political dynamics in South Asia, a region marked by both acute ecological vulnerability and complex geopolitical entanglements. Drawing on case studies from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Afghanistan, the course examines how climate change, resource governance, and transboundary environmental issues shape domestic politics, regional relations, and international engagement. Students will engage critically with topics such as river disputes, climate-induced migration, energy politics, and air pollution, while situating South Asia within broader debates on global climate justice and sustainable development. The course emphasizes analytical thinking, comparative analysis, and contextual understanding of how environmental crises are produced, negotiated, and addressed across different political and cultural contexts across South Asia.

Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Active participation in class discussions and in-class assignments; completion of assigned readings; a midterm exam focused on theoretical frameworks and key themes covered in the first half of the course; and a final project comprising one in-class presentation and a 2,500 to 3,000-word policy analysis essay based on the presentation. Constructive engagement with peers? Presentation is also expected.
Recommended literature


Study plans that include the course
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Asian Studies, Specialization Indonesian Language and Culture (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Korean for Practice (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Vietnamese Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Asian Studies, Specialization Vietnamese Language and Culture (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Vietnamese Philology (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Korean for Business (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese for Practice (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Vietnamese Philology (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Asian Studies (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Asian Studies, Specialization Chinese Language and Culture (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Asian Studies, Specialization Japanese Language and Culture (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Asian Studies, Specialization Korean Language and Culture (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Vietnamese for Practice (2024) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Vietnamese Philology (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2019) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Indonesian Studies (2022) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Indonesian Studies for Tourism (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Chinese Studies (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Korean Studies (2023) Category: Philological sciences - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Palacký University Olomouc, date of update: 23.10.2025 23:53. Data created for academic year 2025/2026