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EL55D3: PLACES AND ENVIRONMENTS: CRITICAL DIALOGUES (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

This course introduces students to a range of critical, theoretical, and philosophical approaches to environment and place, as well as aligned research methods. Students will read key works of ecocriticism, ecofeminism, environmental philosophy, cultural geography, and related areas. Close reading and discussion of central texts will provide a foundation for further research, including the dissertation. Students will have the opportunity to discuss these ideas in relation to both literary and social contexts. This course is restricted to students on the MLitt Literatures, Environments, and Places, or by permission of the School. 

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Timothy Baker

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Mlitt In Film, Visual Culture & Arts Management (September Start) or Master Of Letters In Literatures, Environments And Places
  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In an age of environmental crisis and increased environmental awareness, scholars from multiple fields have repeatedly called for new theoretical models of how humans are situated in and on the planet. Such calls are not new, however: the rise of ecocriticism and cultural geography in the second half of the twentieth century has highlighted the utility of an interdisciplinary approach to space and place. This course introduces students to a wide range of critical, theoretical, and philosophical approaches to ideas of environment and place, including areas such as ecofeminism, environmental philosophy, and cultural geography. Students will learn how to apply these approaches to texts from diverse cultural and historical contexts, as well as tracing the development of these ideas over time. Students will also have the opportunity to explore how these theoretical approaches can be used in a broader array of intellectual and practical contexts. Students will read the work of thinkers such as Lawrence Buell, Jonathan Bate, Val Plumwood, Anna Tsing, Dipesh Chakrabarty, and Robin Wall Kimmerer. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Design Project: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 30 Feedback Weeks 33

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided electronically.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateStudents completing the course will be able to evaluate current debates and research in environmental humanities and place studies.
ConceptualUnderstandStudents completing the course will be able to demonstrate understanding of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to environment and place.
ProceduralCreateStudents completing the course will be able to apply and explain these theories in relation to literary texts and in projects appealing to a wider public.

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 34 Feedback Weeks 37

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided orally and in writing.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateStudents completing the course will be able to evaluate current debates and research in environmental humanities and place studies.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents completing the course will be able to reflect on and analyse dominant trends in relevant scholarship, orally and in writing.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

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Feedback

Feedback will be provided electronically.

Word Count 3500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateStudents completing the course will be able to evaluate current debates and research in environmental humanities and place studies.
ConceptualUnderstandStudents completing the course will be able to demonstrate understanding of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to environment and place.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 50 Feedback Weeks 52

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Feedback

Essay resubmission. Feedback will be provided electronically.

Word Count 3500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents completing the course will be able to demonstrate understanding of historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to environment and place.
ConceptualEvaluateStudents completing the course will be able to evaluate current debates and research in environmental humanities and place studies.
ProceduralAnalyseStudents completing the course will be able to reflect on and analyse dominant trends in relevant scholarship, orally and in writing.
ProceduralCreateStudents completing the course will be able to apply and explain these theories in relation to literary texts and in projects appealing to a wider public.

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