ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES AND THE ANTHROPOCENE: AN INTRODUCTION MOD.2

This second module, in conjunction with the first module taught by professor Giulia Rispoli, is a first-year requirement for all students of the Master's Degree in Environmental Humanities.

The final goal is to enable students to address cultural issues related to the planetary environmental crisis from a theoretical and practical perspective in a largely autonomous manner.

Advanced reading, speaking and writing knowledge of English (B2)

The environmental humanities (EH) explore the critical role of the humanities in a time of environmental crisis and aim at interpreting and transforming a planet under pressure. Recognizing that an alliance between different forms of knowledge is indispensable, the EH aims to generate socio-ecological awareness, sustain social, cultural, and ethical change to protect and nourish the diversity of life on our planet, and raise informed critique of existing paradigms and systems. They also elaborate and compare interdisciplinary perspectives, pedagogical models, and best practices, working toward a collective response to new global challenges.
The module will begin by mapping the different ways in which the EH are conceptualized and taught across the continents. Drawing from philosophy, critical theory, literature, the visual arts, psychoanalysis, film, and popular cultures, every week we will address a different specific theme, including environmental imaginaries and representation, blue humanities, multispecies thinking, energy humanities, ecocritical approaches to literature and the visual and performing arts, emotions and the environment, humor, environmental justice, and more. We will explore the main debates and key terminologies, as well as the different political interpretations of ecology, forms of activism and public impact, and examples of intellectual and artistic intervention. Many of our examples will be drawn from the cultural history and present condition of Venice and its unique ecosystem, showing how this microcosm encapsulates most of the global issues at stake. Some of our classes will be fieldtrips to relevant sites, demonstrating how Venice’s natural and cultural ecosystems constitute an exemplary diffuse classroom.
The course does not require any prior specialized knowledge. What is expected from students is curiosity, intellectual openness, and a willingness to engage actively with the course material and class discussions.

C. Baldacci et al. (eds.) VENICE AND THE ANTHROPOCENE. AN ECOCRITICAL GUIDE, Wetlands, 2022
Selected essays and multimedia material available on the Moodle platform.

Every student will have to produce a final individual research project (a written and illustrated essay or a multimedia text) dedicate to a specific site, examined from an Environmental Humanities perspective. The paper will then be discussed in person on the day of the exam.

written

The final grade will be determined based on the following criteria:
• Knowledge of theoretical topics (up to 10 points)
• Ability to critically analyze theoretical topics (up to 10 points)
• Mastery of specialized terminology and appropriate language use (up to 10 points)
The maximum possible score is 30/30. "Cum laude" (with honors) may be awarded in case of excellent performance in all considered categories.

Teaching will consist of weekly lectures and seminar discussions based on assigned readings and media. Students are required to obtain the main textbooks; all other reading materials will be made available via the Moodle platform. Students are encouraged to register and check the platform regularly for updates and further information."

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development