This module is principally about ecocriticism: analysing texts for what they say about nature and the place of the human within it. Specifically, the focus of this module will be to look at the ways in which contemporary literature registers ecological concerns such as climate crisis, the Anthropocene and perpetual toxicity. . Texts studied may include contemporary novels/short stories/poetry/drama as well as non-fiction nature writing. Students will ultimately submit either an ecocritical essay or a piece of ecocentric creative writing.

Learning journal, 2,500 words : to consist of 5 reflective pieces, equally weighted: (LOs: 2)

- two reflections upon two separate contributions to class learning on the module (one per semester) using authentic forms such as podcasts, presentations, vlogs, leading group sessions (these may be done in pairs or alone), blogs, poster presentations. Forms must vary within the journal and reflection should show the detail of what the student intended to convey, how and why. Reflection should also show how the contribution was received and what the student would do differently next time.

- two reflections upon two separate elements of Academic Mentoring and Engagement (one per semester). These reflections should outline the student’s contact with their Academic Mentor, what insights they gathered and how they will take those on board, as well as showing deeper engagement with the life of the University and/or their subject: e.g. going on Uni trips/self-led trips

to galleries/exhibitions, attending appointments in the Careers/Study Skills departments, engagement in SU clubs/societies, attending talks by visiting speakers, watching the Drama students’ performances, contributing to Uni Open Mic nights.

- fifth and final piece in the journal will be the student’s reflection upon their ‘verbal pitch’ to a tutor of their ideas for their final assignment. Reflection should detail the plans for the assignment, the tutor’s feedback, and how the student intends to action that.

Mid-year critical essay – 1,500 words

Essay or piece of creative writing – 3,000 words, a literary-critical essay or a piece of ecocentric creative writing. Topic to be agreed with tutor. (LOs: 1,3,4)

1. Demonstrate detailed and coherent knowledge of some of the key issues, concepts and debates in the field of ecocriticism through enquiry, analysis, close reading and research.
2. Reflect on contributions to class learning.
3. Apply theoretical material to texts.
4. Communicate ecocritical concepts in creative or critical writing with clarity.

Library & VLE

Adam Trexler (2015) Anthropocene Fictions: The Novel in a Time of Climate Change.¿ University of Virginia Press. Bracke, Astrid (2018) Climate Crisis and the 21st-Century British Novel. London: Bloomsbury. Branch, M.P. and Slovic, S. (2003) The ISLE reader: ecocriticism, 1993-2003. Athens: University of Georgia Press. Clarke, B. and Rossini, M. (2017) The Cambridge companion to literature and the posthuman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Clark, T. (2015) Ecocriticism on the Edge: the Anthropocene as a threshold concept. London: Bloomsbury. Garrard, G. (2012) Ecocriticism. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. Garrard, G. (2014) The Oxford handbook of ecocriticism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Goodwin, M. (2011) ‘The Garden and the Jungle: Burnett, Kipling and the Nature of Imperial Childhood’, Children's Literature in Education, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 105-117. Hiltner, K. (2014) Ecocriticism¿: the essential reader. London: Routledge. McCulloch, Fiona (2011) Children’s Literature in Context. Continuum. Rudrum, D. & Stavris, N. (2015), Supplanting the Postmodern: an anthology of writings on the arts and culture of the early 21st century, London: Bloomsbury. Smith, Jos and Greg Garrard (2017) The New Nature Writing. Bloomsbury: London. Thacker, D.C. & Webb, J. (2002) Introducing Children's Literature: From Romanticism to Postmodernism. London: Routledge. Westling, L.H. (2014) The Cambridge companion to Literature and the Environment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

How is contemporary writing responding to ecological issues? How might we analyse literature in ways that connect to contemporary debates about humanity and our impact upon the environment? Through the study of recently published literature the module guides you towards your own critical and/or creative literary responses to issues such as climate change and altered perceptions of humanity.

Teaching will be delivered by weekly workshops which will involve segments of lecture, discussion activities, student participation and analytical practice