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SX1022: ARTS FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE PLANET (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

In a time of environmental catastrophe, how can the arts help us make sense of the world around us? This course introduces students to the field of Environmental Humanities, and to ways the arts can help us reflect on and understand current ecological changes and imagine a more sustainable future. Looking at a wide selection of literature, film, music, and visual arts from a variety of cultural and historical perspectives, students will learn about key questions in the study of arts and the environment. This course is strongly recommended for students registered for any degree in the School of Language, Literature, Music, and Visual Culture, but is open to students in any discipline.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Timothy Baker

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

  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2
  • Any Undergraduate 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

We live in a time not simply of climate change but, in Margaret Atwood’s words, ‘everything change’. The three pillars of sustainability – economic, social, and biophysical – are often discussed as being distant from the spheres of arts and culture. In an age of ecological crisis, however, the arts have a greater role to play than ever. Arts can inform, entertain, and change the perspectives of their audiences; they can reshape the ways we make sense of our experience. Looking at a wide range of material from different cultures and different media, including literature, film, music, visual arts, and architecture, students will learn new approaches to the relation between the arts and the material world. Students will learn about the relation between humans and non-human others, the link between decarbonisation and decolonisation, and how different artistic practices can lead to improved sustainability. The course is an excellent introduction to interdisciplinary work, and is structured to be as diverse and inclusive as possible. Students will have the opportunity to develop critical, creative, and practical responses to the work they encounter, including individual and group projects focused on community engagement and activism.


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

Tutorial Participation Mark

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks 22

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will provided orally and in writing.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills
FactualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between sustainability and the arts in a variety of cultural contexts
ProceduralCreateCommunicate to audiences from multiple disciplines and backgrounds

Design Project: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 55
Assessment Weeks 20 Feedback Weeks 23

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in writing.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse and compare different approaches to environmental crisis
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills
ProceduralApplyApply insights from the course to creative and practical work
ProceduralCreateCommunicate to audiences from multiple disciplines and backgrounds

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 35
Assessment Weeks 14 Feedback Weeks 17

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in writing

Word Count 1000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse and compare different approaches to environmental crisis
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills
FactualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between sustainability and the arts in a variety of cultural contexts

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 50 Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in writing

Word Count 1500
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
FactualUnderstandAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between sustainability and the arts in a variety of cultural contexts
ConceptualAnalyseAnalyse and compare different approaches to environmental crisis
ProceduralApplyApply insights from the course to creative and practical work
ConceptualEvaluateDevelop critical thinking skills
ProceduralCreateCommunicate to audiences from multiple disciplines and backgrounds

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