Overview

'Climate Change in Contemporary Culture' begins by informing students of the basic science of climate change, before turning to its central investigation: considering the ways in which key texts respond to, and intervene in, the representation of climate science in contemporary culture. Students will learn about the ways in which literature, film and media shape our understanding of climate change, and thereby society's response - or lack of it - to environmental crisis. It investigates ways in which these texts offer us climate denial at one extreme, through to hope and the prospect of radical change on the other. The module includes a range of genres - including novels, films, and media texts - from the industrialised nations as well as the Global South.

The module will begin with a quick introduction to climate science before addressing its central concern: the representation of climate change within contemporary culture. Students will tackle one key text each week. While the exact topics covered will evolve, they are likely to include the following aspects of climate change : - its immense scale in time and space - questions of climate justice - its affect (from 'solastalgia' to anger to melancholy) - relations with non-human species - political activism

Assessment Strategy

Excellent Typically, work graded A- to A** (or 70 to 100) will show many of the following qualities: • Discusses ideas with confidence and precision • Demonstrates maturity and sophistication • Displays deep knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is totally relevant • Shows independent, analytical and clear thought • Gives evidence of substantial and relevant reading • Shows great accuracy in expression, displaying total mastery over all aspects of the language • Shows occasional signs of brilliance and originality of thought • In creative work: displays considerable originality • Command over medium; may have potential for publication/production

Good Typically, work graded B- to B+ (or 60 to 69) will show many of the following qualities: • Discusses ideas adeptly • Most of the arguments about a specific field are well-aired • Displays knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is relevant • Shows analytical and clear thought • Gives evidence of relevant reading • Shows accuracy in expression with mastery over language. • A few minor errors here and there. • Signs of creative thought deserve a higher position within the class • In creative work: shows signs of originality, having understood the requirements of the medium • Plans of well-balanced and full answers, despite some gaps

Satisfactory Typically, work graded C- to C+ (or 50 to 59) will show many of the following qualities: • Discusses ideas, but without much confidence • A respectable effort but not showing any unusual talent; a few flashes of originality here and there • Makes reference to the subject in question, but some important matters not mentioned • Fairly clear thought on most occasions, and the arguments relevant on the whole • Evidence of having read some works associated with the field in question • Quite accurate expression, though the points may sometimes be presented clumsily • Signs of conscientious work deserve a higher position within the class • In creative work: not having quite mastered the requirements of the medium • Evidence of planning in the answers, but a lack of coherence at times; undisciplined and unsure at times

Pass Typically, work graded D- to D+ (or 40 to 49) will show many of the following qualities: • Unsure and lacking in confidence when discussing ideas • Referring to the subject in question in a superficial manner • Making an effort to provide fairly balanced answers • Some points in the argument irrelevant to the topic • Little evidence of background reading • Some uncertainty over language and syntax • Strengths and weaknesses fairly balanced; occasionally clumsy and unimaginative • In creative work: superficial • Not succeeding in mastering the requirements of the medium

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the relationship between material and cultural form and content in contemporary texts about climate change.

• Examine the relationship between the science of climate change and its representation in contemporary cultural contexts.

• Identify key tropes, themes and practices in the representation of climate change, drawing on appropriate secondary reading.

• Select and criticize a variety of ways in which climate change is represented across a range of contemporary genres (including film, literature and media), and examine individual texts within their generic context.