Natures Cultures module (PI31025)

This module is for anybody interested in nature, culture and their entanglements.

We often think of culture as something that separates humans from the rest of nature, but today the lines between nature and culture, animals and humans, biology and technology are increasingly difficult to draw.

Through a combination of interactive lectures and tutorials, this module will engage critically and creatively with a range of different philosophers, artists and environmental humanities researchers.

Throughout the module, we will explore questions such as:

• Is nature something innate and determined, or open and creative?
• Is culture uniquely human or do animals, plants and bacteria have their own forms of language, technology and/or social relations?
• Should science be something we imagine and feel, as well as test and learn?
• How do technologies such as cloning or genetic modification affect how we understand ourselves and the natural world?
• In the current context of ecological precarity and climate change, what new concepts, collaborations, and modes of creative practice can help us care for multispecies worlds?

What you will learn

In this module you will:

• learn about key debates, concepts, theories, methods and approaches at the intersection of philosophy and the environmental arts and humanities
• develop your critical voice within these discussions
• work collaboratively with peers
• develop the skills to undertake independent research using appropriate primary and secondary sources.

By the end of the module you will be able to:

• engage critically and creatively with nature culture entanglements
• understand key texts and movements at the intersection of philosophy and the environmental arts and humanities
• exercise autonomy and initiative
• work collaboratively with peers to foster debate and reflection in interdisciplinary contexts

Assignments / assessment:

• Weekly class exercises - 30%
• Essay (2,500 words) OR Creative Project with accompanying Scholarly Reflection (1,500 words) - 70%

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable:

This module combines lectures and tutorials.

Lectures are interactive and will provide an overview of the weekly content.

Tutorials will allow for smaller group work, the development of close reading skills, and student discussion and debate.

Independent study is a requirement, encouraging increased participation and deeper involvement in the learning journey.