| Unit name | Writing Nature: Literature, Landscape, Environment |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL20142 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Malay |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
‘How did different societies think about the natural world?’, ‘What is the human place in the cosmos?’, and ‘How might humans live more skilfully on the planet?’ These are some of the questions we will be exploring on this course, as we track shifting perceptions of the natural world from the medieval period to the present day. Weaving together key ideas in ecocriticism with the close study of primary texts, this unit takes the long view of human relationships with the more-than-human world. It introduces students to the burgeoning field of ecocriticism, explores connections between texts from different historical periods, and uses the core reading as ways of illuminating the most pressing issues of our time: climate change and the extinction crisis. What are the historical roots for this these crises – and might a deep understanding of the past open alternative routes into the future?
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Specialisation units challenge and empower you to engage with specific elements of advanced literary study. Specialisation units include taught options, which are closely informed by the world-leading research of individual academic staff, as well as final-year dissertation units that will enable you to pursue your own research or creative interests. Specialisation units cultivate ambition and independent learning, and showcase the department’s wide-ranging and varied expertise.
An overview of content
This unit is a transhistorical course that will introduce students to texts from different historical periods in order to explore – and complicate – current understandings of the word ‘nature’. The unit will also draw upon tutors from across the department and weave together close reading with theoretical approaches. It seeks to broaden students’ understandings of environmental issues and themes, while also introducing them to innovative ways of reading literary texts from a ‘green’ perspective.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
On completion of the unit, students will have an advanced understanding of the word ‘nature’, both as a term that has undergone profound change over the centuries and as a theoretical framework for understanding literary texts. The course will also broaden their understanding of what counts as ‘environmental’, by offering innovative ecocritical readings of a range of texts across different genres. Finally, the unit will develop students’ skills in comparative analysis, historical reconstruction and critical interpretation, enabling them to apply ecocritical readings in a theoretically discerning yet historically nuanced way.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will involve asynchronous and synchronous elements, including group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Students are expected to engage with the reading and participate fully with the weekly tasks and topics. Learning will be further supported through the opportunity for individual consultation.
Students will be given the opportunity to submit a draft or outline of your final, summative essay, and receive formative feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Essay, 3,000 words (100%) [ILOs 1-4].
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ENGL20142).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
