EN0EH-Environmental Humanities

Module Provider: English Literature
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:F
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Gail Marshall
Email: g.marshall@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Michael Lyons
Email: m.lyons@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will introduce students to the concept and practice of environmental humanities, and explore the ways in which literary texts and digital media help us to understand the relationships between human beings and the physical environment, through examining representations of nature, and people’s impact on it in texts drawn from English and world literatures. This module is multidisciplinary and will be of interest to all students who want to know more about environmental questions. It will form an important basis for working on degree-level modules in any discipline that concern development, sustainability, the eco-system, human and natural rights, questions of human responsibility and agency, and literary representation.

Aims:

The module will enable students to understand the ways in which the humanities can contribute meaningfully to current environmental debates, and enhance their informed investment in and analysis of those debates. It will equip students with knowledge of key theoretical texts on the environment and major literary works that engage with the environment. It will enable students to understand how different genres of literature from a variety of periods and countries acknowledge and seek to understand climate change and its impact on the natural world. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• carry out research at undergraduate level, including discovering complex information and evidence and responding imaginatively to research tasks;


• present information within wider contexts;


• analyse material and articulate their ideas, in writing and orally, and participate in seminar discussions and presentations;


• plan their written and oral output effectively;


• manage their study time productively;


• use the university’s VLE and other learning technologies adeptly.


• work successfully both as an individual and as part of a group.

Additional outcomes:

Additionally, students will be able to:

• understand how the humanities can contribute to contemporary discussions and understanding of the environment and climate change;


• plan an assignment and reference it correctly;


• work effectively in groups for study;


• demonstrate knowledge of debates concerning the environment;


• plan forward for a BA programme at Part 1;


• work with peers in a range of disciplines to understand multidisciplinary opportunities to maximise understanding

Outline content:

This is a team-taught module that draws on the research strengths of a range of colleagues from across SLL and is designed to appeal to all students across the University with an interest in the environment.  Students will be introduced to ecolinguistics, ecopoetics, digital media and environmental activism, as well as founding texts of the modern ecological movement.

Global context:

The module necessarily has a global focus, given its subject matter, and as well as British literature, students will be exposed to a range of European and world literatures as part of their studies.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by 1 weekly lecture and 1 weekly seminar, complemented by 5 peer-assisted learning hours, 2 of which will be taken up with formative presentations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		10
Tutorials		2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		30
Peer assisted learning		5
Advance preparation for classes		75
Preparation for presentations		3
Completion of formative assessment tasks		2
Revision and preparation		60
Reflection		3
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

2 blog pieces of 400 words each on 2 different texts/topics; (to be submitted in week 7)

1 x 1000 essay (to be submitted in week 11)

Formative assessment methods:

1 x 400 word reflection on a text/topic to form the basis of a presentation to a small (5-6) group of peers outside the seminar (by week 6)

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination by assessed essay in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required textbooks: Yes, to be developed

Last updated: 30 March 2023