Capita Selecta ‘A global sense of place’

In the 2nd WU education period running, starting October 31, Rural Sociology will again offer the Capita Selecta course ‘A Global sense of place’ (course code RSO-50806). Course outline is available here.

The course offers a comparative perspective on place-based approaches in rural and spatial development. Next to lectures and readings on place-based development, five guest lecturers are invited to present a case and discuss the relevance of place-based development.

The interdisciplinary course is open to MSc-students from different Master programs that want to broaden their understanding of place-based approaches for sustainable development. The course aims to make students acquainted with different disciplinary approaches to study and understand the sustainable development of places, necessary for thoroughly understanding transformation processes, rural and territorial development.

From the course outline:

A global sense of place gives a critical overview of approaches and discourses on sustainable place-based development and is a constituent and contingent expression of three interrelated, interdependent and relational processes: economic, ecological and social-cultural. Places can then be seen as the constructs wherein the varied interactions between these three interconnected processes are expressed. We will focus on an action-perspectives based on ecological and cultural processes as a starting point, which can create autonomy and a repositioning of economic relations, a regrounding in ecological capital and self-efficacy in the cultural sphere.

We will focus on two main approaches: 1) places as arenas for negotiation, conflicting interests and power struggles, influenced by capital and global forces, where place-based struggles occur as multi-scale, network-oriented subaltern strategies of localization; 2) Spaces endowed with meaning and the constitution of identities, subjectivities and difference.

The themes for the six weeks and invited quest lecturers are:

Week 1 Analysis of place-based development (Dirk Roep)

This lecture introduces an analytical model for sustainable place-based development where place-shaping is a constituent and contingent expression of three interrelated, interdependent and relational processes: economic, ecological and social-cultural. Places can then be seen as the constructs wherein the varied interactions between these three interconnected processes are expressed. The lecture deals with the issue how place-based development based on an action-perspective takes practices based on ecological and cultural processes as a starting point, with the aim of creating autonomy and a repositioning of economic powers, a regrounding in ecological capita and self-efficacy in the cultural sphere.

Week 2 Configuration of places (Joost Jongerden)

Guest lecture: Stijn Oosterlinck (University of Antwerp)

How places can be seen as arenas for conflicting interests where place-based struggles and ‘resistance of the third kind’ (van der Ploeg) occur as multi-scale, network-oriented subaltern strategies of localization. How to understand globalization not as a force from outside, but constructed and (re)produced in local contexts (Routledge). How to understand the struggle for place in relation to autonomy and self-determination (Escobar). How local agency –including local policy- is not merely defending the local against the global, but seeking to alter the very mechanisms of the global itself (Massey).

Week 3: Community development (Dirk Roep)

Guest lecture: Raoul Beunen (WUR-LUP)

How conditions can be created for learning, exchange, innovation and cooperation of various social movements and initiatives working towards more place-based development (Franklin et al). How community research on diverse economies makes local alternatives more visible and (by showing show its impact and potential) makes them more ‘real’ and credible as objects of policy and activism (Gibson-Graham). How the commitment and self-efficacy of people towards the quality of life in places can be enhanced.

Week 4 Cultural approaches for place-based development (Ina Horlings)

Guest lecture: Joks Janssen WUR-LUP and province of Brabant)

How (cultural historical) identity can place a role in place based development. How place is a geographical space endowed by meanings, sentiments and stories (Hague & Jenkins). How there are multiple identities, shared and contested. How identities can be the starting point for sustainable development based on new narratives and storylines which can align people around development perspectives and form the bases for entrepreneurship and new product market combinations (Mommaas and Janssen). How territorial ideas, signs and practices can be developed, which devices new ways for a local society to identify itself (Pederson) and how identities can change and be constructed and can form the bases for place-branding) (Throgmorton, Sandercock, Hospers). How cultural creatives play a role in place-based development.

Week 5 The role of people, values and leadership (Ina Horlings)

Guest lecture: Valentina Tessone or Anouck Brack (WUR-ECS)

How people make value-based judgements about priorities and what they consider to be appropriate ‘development’ for their localities (Pike). How human values can be the starting point for place-based development, and how people, purpose, priorities, profits, programs and processes can be weaved to develop strategies for resilience (Hamilton). How leadership can connect different worlds, unfreeze institutional deadlocks, inspire, aligns and effectively organise people and resources around transformational change agendas (Grint, Gibney et al).

Week 6 Places as arenas for conflicting interests (Joost Jongerden).

Documentary and Discussion.