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Module Catalogue

EN3D0-30 Literature, Environment, Ecology

Department
English and Comparative Literary Studies
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Nicholas Lawrence
Credit value
30
Module duration
20 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

EN3D0-30 Literature, Environment, Ecology
The premise of the module is twofold: (1) ecology as a way of seeing and reading the world should change the study of culture, including literature; and (2) the optic of a materialist or ‘world-’ ecology presents the most promising paradigm for re-orienting literary study today, since it is by definition comparative and global in scope, while remaining attentive to the material and relational particulars of local environments, including textual ones.

Module web page

Module aims

As ecocriticism is arguably our fastest developing sub-discipline, the module aims to provide both a partial introduction to its history and an updated report from the field, combining an emphasis on theoretical contexts for reading in environmental terms with a special interest in innovative forms of imaginative, critical and activist practice. Throughout we will examine literary and cultural production in relation to questions of environmental impact, models of ecological thinking and the implications of revising conventional ways of articulating human with extra-human nature. Our aim is a combination of close and creative reading with attention to cultural and historical context, cross-national comparative study and variations in genre, methodology and medium.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Term 1

  1. Introduction
  2. The End of Nature: Literature in the Age of the Capitalocene
  3. Enclosure/ Escape/ Scape
  4. Eco-praxis I
  5. Colonial World-Ecology
  6. Reading Week
  7. American Environmentalism
  8. The Carson Watershed
  9. Narrating the Capitalocene I
  10. Trash

Term 2

  1. Anthropocene Futures
  2. Postcolonial World-Ecology I
  3. Postcolonial World-Ecology II
  4. Media as Environments
  5. Case Study: Pipeline Protest
  6. Reading Week
  7. Narrating the Capitalocene II: (World-literary) Ecosystems
  8. Narrating the Capitalocene II: Deathworlds
  9. Eco-praxis III
  10. Out of the ruins

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Acquire knowledge of key theoretical and literary concepts and of relevant critical contexts within which to situate the set texts
  • Develop analytical and critical skills through close reading, discussion of and responses to set texts
  • Adjust to scholarly standards and protocols of academic presentation at honours level
  • Explore methodologies for reading texts within the context of environmental and ecological concerns
  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge of selected texts and concepts relating to ecocritical approaches
  • Indicate awareness of various critical, analytical and creative methodologies relating to the course content
  • Exhibit an effective command of written English together with a wide-ranging and accurate vocabulary
  • Show command of the protocols of textual analysis and critical argument
  • Conduct independent research through self-generated questions

Indicative reading list

All primary texts are available for easy purchase; secondary texts to be provided as PDF files or via online library access. Please see syllabus for illustrative bibliography.

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

Exhibit an effective command of written English together with a wide-ranging and accurate vocabulary
Conduct independent research through self-generated questions

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 18 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (9%)
Private study 273 hours (91%)
Total 300 hours

Private study description

Up to two optional field trips undertaken as a class.
Reading & research.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessed essay 2 40% Yes (extension)

4,000-word essay.
Assessed essay 1 40% Yes (extension)

4,000-word essay.
Group Video Essay 20% Yes (extension)

A group video essay.
Feedback on assessment

Written comments; opportunity for further oral feedback during office hours.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 3 of UENA-Q300 Undergraduate English Literature
  • Year 3 of UENA-QP36 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing
  • Year 4 of UENA-QP37 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing with Intercalated Year
  • Year 4 of UENA-Q301 Undergraduate English Literature with Intercalated Year
  • Year 3 of UENA-VQ32 Undergraduate English and History
  • Year 4 of UENA-QW35 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies with Intercalated Year
  • Year 4 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature
  • Year 4 of UFIA-QW26 Undergraduate Film and Literature (with Study Abroad)

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 3 of UCXA-QQ37 Undergraduate Classics and English
  • Year 3 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 3 of UTHA-QW34 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies

This module is Option list C for:

  • Year 3 of UPHA-VQ72 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature
  • Year 4 of UPHA-VQ73 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature with Intercalated Year