Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Ecology and Literature

• Unit Code

  CCC3108

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

The environment is fundamental to how we understand ourselves in landscape and place. This unit will explore ecology as a cornerstone of the Romantic and Transcendentalist movements. Environmental change and the threat that nature is turning against us has brought about a revival of nature writing, particularly among regional writers.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Attribute nature writing and the development of concepts and styles to various traditions.
2. Comment on nature writing and its role in the rise of environmentalism and ecology studies.
3. Compare ideas, theoretical concepts and works from different historic periods and locations.
4. Research and develop analytical case studies on particular writers and movements.

Unit Content

1. Close study of selected West Australian nature writers and their connections to this literary heritage.
2. Introduction to nature writing through poetry, prose and essays.
3. The development of nature writing from the late eighteenth century ideas of Rousseau and the Romantics to contemporary works that express global environmental concerns.
4. The theoretical concepts and research skills required for a case study.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and guest speakers.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Garrad, G. (2011). Ecocriticism. (2nd ed.). London, Great Britain: Routledge.
• ^ Abrams, M.H. & Harpham, G.G., (2012). A glossary of literary terms. (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
• ^ CCC3108 Unit Reader. Ecology and Literature. Edith Cowan University.
• Coupe, L. (Ed). (2000). The Green Studies reader: From Romanticism to Ecocriticism. London and New York: Routledge.
• Bate, J. (1991). Romantic ecology: Wordsworth and the environmental tradition. London and New York: Routledge.
• Garrard, G. (2004). Ecocriticism. London and New York: Routledge.
• Tiffin, H. (2009). Postcolonial ecocriticism: Literature, animals, environment. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
• Pollack, M. & McNab, M. (2000). Hearts and minds: Creative Australians and the environment. Sydney: Hale and Ironmonger.
• Gifford, T. (1995). Understanding contemporary nature poetry. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press.

Journal References

• Westerly
• Island
• Heat

^ Mandatory reference

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