MAOK4011 Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Coexistence
- Course codeMAOK4011
- Number of credits5
- Teaching semester2027 Spring
- Language of instruction and examinationEnglish
- CampusEvenstad
A diverse range of conflicts are emerging between people and wildlife in areas where conservation is bringing wildlife into close proximity with human activity. Furthermore, different stakeholder groups are frequently engaged in conflicts over the ways in which wildlife, and the related conflicts of interest, should be managed. The concept of coexistence is frequently identified as a goal in conflict management, but the idea is still being developed and defined. This course will provide an in-depth insight into the diverse dimensions of human-wildlife conflicts, drawing on insights from natural and social sciences, to learn to understand the diversity of underlying issues that can make many conflicts difficult to manage. This will require a brief introduction to a range of natural science and social science concepts and theories. The course will also explore the range of practical, procedural and policy centred approaches that exist to manage conflicts, as well as the multiple ways in which coexistence can be construed by different publics.
Learning outcome
After successful completion of the course, the student will have the following knowledge, skills, and general competence.
The student
- Acquires a broad understanding of the concepts and terminology used in relevant natural and social science dimensions used to study human-wildlife conflicts.
- Acquires an understanding of the different levels of human-wildlife conflict along a gradient from disputes and material damages (impacts) to the underlying issues that focus on values and identity-based conflicts.
- Acquires an understanding of the multiple aspects that need to be considered when seeking to understand and manage conflicts.
- Acquires an understanding of different tools that can be used to mitigate or prevent the different forms of conflict.
- Acquires an understanding of how human-wildlife coexistence may be achieved and how this relates to the management of human-wildlife conflict.
- Acquires an understanding of how wildlife management and other policies can mitigate or exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts.
The student
- Can identify which types of natural and social science approaches are necessary to address specific human-wildlife conflicts.
- Can understand and discuss diverse concept and research findings coming from multiple disciplinary sources.
- Wil acquire the foundational skills to communicate effectively with media and the public about controversial human-wildlife conflict issues.
- Can conduct a basic stakeholder analysis to identify key actors and interest groups involved in a human-wildlife conflict.
- Can critically assess information to separate between value-based biases and objective scientific findings.
The student
- Understands and can reflect on the complexity of wildlife management and the science-policy interface in the modern world.
- Can reflect over personal biases and values and how these may influence their scientific objectivity and the way they apply science to policy-related issues.
- Can relate to diverse knowledge forms and interdisciplinary approaches.
- Can see the commonality and differences in issues across species, ecosystems, and cultures.
- Can reflect on how different social science disciplines contribute to a holistic understanding of human-wildlife interactions, including human-wildlife conflicts.
- Understands how to use these insights to understand and address human-wildlife conflicts.
- Can analyze relevant academic, professional, and ethical challenges.
Campus-based lectures, seminars, self-study, group work, presentations in class and in class discussions. The course will draw heavily on scientific articles and technical reports as reading material and as material for discussion.
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral examination | ECTS - A-F | Individual |