Module Identifier
ENM6920
Module Title
ISSUES IN ECOCRITICISM: READING TED HUGHES
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Matthew R Jarvis
Semester
Intended for use in future years

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials Seminars 5 x 2-hours
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1 X 5000-WORD ESSAY  100%
Supplementary Assessment MAKE GOOD ANY FAILED ELEMENTS  Resubmit any failed elements and/or make good any missing elements. Where this involves re-submission of work, a new topic must be selected.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the philosophical issues raised by the concept of `nature';

2. demonstrate a detailed knowledge of how ecocriticism deals with issues of materiality and referentiality, and its consequent interrelations with other theoretical areas;

3. demonstrate a sustained ecocritical engagement with the poetry of Ted Hughes.

Aims

This module offers a concentrated study of key theoretical issues within ecocritical discourse with a literary focus on Ted Hughes.

Brief description

This module seeks to examine key areas of theoretical concern in the emerging analytical discourse of ecocriticism. It thus addresses an extended philosophical discussion of the concept of nature; it engages with issues of materiality and the potential relationship between Marxism and ecocriticism; and it examines ecocritical attitudes towards referentiality in the aftermath of deconstructive / postmodern thought. Having considered such issues over the first three weeks, the module seeks to apply the theoretical matters raised to two concluding weeks of ecocritical reading, in which the literary focus will be the British nature poet Ted Hughes. Based around two themes (respectively, `Place' and `Flora and Fauna'), a number of Hughes'r collections will be considered in order to generate a significant ecocritical engagement with his poetry.

Content

_1. The Nature of Nature
Kate Soper, What is Nature? (Oxford: Blackwell, 1995).
We will be using substantial key extracts from this text as part of an introductory session that will establish a detailed understanding of concepts to do with `nature' and `the natural'.

_2. Materiality: Ecocriticism and Marxism
Lance Newman, `Marxism and Ecocriticism', ISLE 9.2 (2002), 1-25
Lawrence Buell, Writing for an Endangered World: Literature, Culture, and Environment in the U.S. and Beyond (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003), `Discourses of Determinism', 129-169
Adamson, Joni and Rachel Stein, eds, `Environmental Justice: A Roundtable Discussion', ISLE 7.2 (2000), 155-170
What can ecocriticism learn from Marxism? Why might a `red ecocriticism? be necessary, and what might it look like? Does a Marxist-style concern with materiality result in a reductive environmental determinism? What should be the relationship between ecocriticism and radical social movements concerned with environmental justice?

_3. Reference / Referance: The Ecocritical Response to Poststructuralism
Leonard M. Scigaj, `Contemporary Ecological and Environmental Poetry: Differance or Referance?', ISLE 3.2 (1996), 1-25
Bruce Clarke, `Science, Theory, and Systems: A Response to Glen A. Love and Jonathan Levin', ISLE 8.1 (2001), 149-165
How does ecocriticism deal with referentiality in the aftermath of deconstructive / postmodern thought?

_4. Ecocritical Reading 1: Ted Hughes - Place
From Ted Hughes, The Collected Poetry of Ted Hughes (London: Faber, 2003): Remains of Elmet; Moortown Diary
Supporting critical material (photocopy provided): Terry Gifford, Green Voices: Understanding Contemporary Nature Poetry (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1995), `Laureate of Nature: The Poetry of Ted Hughes', 114-139
Over weeks 4 and 5, the theoretical issues covered in the previous three weeks will be used to frame readings of the poetry of Ted Hughes, with selections from Hughes covering the themes of `Place' (week 4) and `Flora and Fauna' (week 5).

_5. Ecocritical Reading 2: Ted Hughes - Flora and Fauna
From Ted Hughes, The Collected Poetry of Ted Hughes (London: Faber, 2003): Cave Birds, A Primer of Birds, Flowers and Insects, River, `The Black Rhino' (from Wolfwatching)

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number N/A
Communication Written: clear articulation of ideas and analysis in written assessments. Verbal: class presentations and interaction (Written only assessed)
Improving own Learning and Performance By independent research
Information Technology Use of (eg.) PowerPoint in class presentations; use of Blackboard for dissemination of module information.
Personal Development and Career planning N/A
Problem solving By critical engagement with intellectual concepts.
Research skills By preparation for written assessments.
Subject Specific Skills The analysis of literary texts, both by classroom discussion and written assessments.
Team work By class presentations.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7