ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES AND THE ANTHROPOCENE: AN INTRODUCTION MOD.2

This second module, in conjunction with the first module taught, 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)

ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES. A VIEW FROM VENICE
The environmental humanities (EH) explore the critical role of the humanities in a time of environmental crisis and aim to interpret and transform a planet under pressure. Advocating an alliance between different forms of knowledge, the EH seek to foster socio-ecological awareness, support social, cultural, and ethical change to protect and sustain the diversity of life on Earth, and develop informed critiques of existing paradigms and systems. They also compare interdisciplinary perspectives, pedagogical models, and best practices, working toward a collective response to global challenges.
The module begins by mapping the different ways in which the EH are conceptualized and taught worldwide, drawing on philosophy, critical theory, literature, the visual arts, psychoanalysis, film, and popular culture. Each week addresses a 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, humour, environmental justice, and more. We will explore key debates and terminology, as well as different political interpretations of ecology, forms of activism and public engagement, and examples of intellectual and artistic intervention.
Many examples will be drawn from Venice and its unique ecosystem, showing how this microcosm encapsulates global issues. Some classes will take the form of field trips to relevant sites, demonstrating how Venice’s natural and cultural environments constitute an exemplary “diffuse classroom.”
The course does not require prior specialized knowledge. Students are expected to bring curiosity, intellectual openness, and a willingness to engage actively with course materials and class discussions.
Teaching consists of weekly lectures and seminar discussions based on assigned readings and media. Students are required to obtain the main textbook; all other materials will be made available via the Moodle platform. Students are encouraged to register and check the platform regularly for updates and further information.

C. Baldacci et al. (eds.) VENICE AND THE ANTHROPOCENE. AN ECOCRITICAL GUIDE, Wetlands, 2022
Selected essays (Amitav Ghosh, Donna Haraway, Bruno Latour, Sally Weintrobe, Serenella Iovino, Steve Mentz, Marc Bould, Naomi Klein, and others) and multimedia material available on the Moodle platform.

The assessment consists of a written exam with ten questions requiring concise answers on the assigned readings. Each student will also produce a final individual research project (a written and illustrated essay or a multimedia text) dedicated to a specific site, examined from an Environmental Humanities perspective.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The final grade will be determined according to 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 use of language (up to 5 points)
Ability to discuss topics independently and in a well-structured manner (up to 5 points)
The maximum possible score is 30/30. Cum laude (with honors) may be awarded for excellent performance across all 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 "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development