QUEER ECOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERATURE

Description

Environmental literature is deeply entwined with queer, decolonial and intersectional perspectives: Place and race, space and class, feminist and LGBTQIA2s+* issues, all meet in the queer ecologies we will explore in this module. We will learn about the (queer) history of writing about the environment, about the role of protest in literature and about how describing the world around us in texts actually changes the shape of the natural and built environment. Building on skills and knowledge you have acquired in previous modules on literary history and on theoretical approaches, the module aims to expand your knowledge of global ecocritical and queer writing and theory and to enable you to critically analyse contemporary depictions of climate change dystopias, of human and non-human animal relationships, of protest poetry, and of queer environmental fiction. We will discuss novels, poetry, performances, Youtube videos, as well as the odd social media account, and always combine our readings with a specific theoretical concept to help you learn how to put knowledge into practice. Since the module will also give you some insight into research communication, you will have the option of creating a research-based podcast as your final assessment. The module will include a workshop on podcasting, which will teach you new digital skills and enable you to develop an independent project, potentially in cooperation with collaborators outside of the seminar room. You will also contribute to a collaborative digital glossary, taking charge of creating a communal knowledge resource with formative feedback from your lecturer and comments and questions from fellow students. This module is part of a global strand embedded in our programme, which will help students develop global sensitivity and appreciation for cultural and linguistic diversity. We will discuss a global and culturally diverse range of primary texts, as well as theory texts, and cover, for example, Indigenous knowledges from different parts of the planet. The following areas are indicative of the content that the module may include: - Climate change fiction and environmental dystopias - Protest Poetry and the spoken word - Two spirit narratives and nature writing - Lesbian doppelgangers and non-human protagonists - Lesbian and gay contemporary fiction - Gender and non-human animals in literature - Hyperobjects in literature - Literary Urban Studies and apocalyptic cities - Wildness in literature - Landscape Poetry - The Imperial Gaze - Human affect and the environment - The Anthropocene - Planetary Literature The module aims to: assist students in locating environmental and queer literature in a larger historical, cultural and social context introduce environmental, spatial and non-human centred approaches as theories to engage with literary texts strengthen skills in close reading and analysis of written and oral texts advance students' critical thinking and understanding of how narratives shape the world and respond to current debates strengthen students' ability to undertake independent as well as collaborative research Attributes Developed 001 By the end of the module students will be able to: demonstrate knowledge of relevant texts K 002 Apply knowledge of theoretical concepts to different texts and contexts CT 003 Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and recognise structures, techniques and patterns in both written and oral texts C 004 Communicate knowledge and research outcomes to peers and others T 005 Work collaboratively using different digital methods PT 006 Conduct independent research efficiently and document research in an organised manner P