This unit will introduce students to the new field of ecologically oriented literary and cultural studies, or 'ecocriticism'. It will critically examine various cultural constructions of 'nature' and 'the body' in a range of texts exemplifying different discourses of nature (e.g. mythological, philosophical, scientific) and literary genres (e.g. drama, narrative, poetry). In addition, consideration will be given to the emergence of a number of distinct approaches within ecocritical studies, such as ecofeminism, environmental justice, ecophenomenology, eco-deconstruction and Queer ecocriticism. -- Course Website
Instructor: Associate Professor Kate Rigby
