Examine violence and power and their relationship to oil as a non-renewable natural resource on the GCC United Kingdom—Oil, Development, and the Discourse of Power program next spring.

In the winter course, study the discourses and practices around resource extraction, resource distribution, energy security, and “modernity” in North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Learn how oil extraction has contributed to reshaping livelihoods and creating spaces of violence as well as “development” and investigate how oil explorations in postcolonial states have given rise to “nation building” projects and profound governance challenges.

During your time in London, conduct unique archival research on the earliest days of British oil exploration in the Middle East and Africa. Trace the political and financial evolution of Williams Darchy into Shell and the Anglo-Persian Oil company into today’s British Petroleum and visit the headquarters of these companies. You will also visit the site of the recently discovered 100 billion barrels oil reserve around London Gatwick airport. The discovery is being celebrated as a way to make the UK energy independent. In the end, we will ask what will happen when there is no oil.

Application deadline: December 15, 2016.