University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Using a selection of texts ranging from ancient flood myths to contemporary polemics, poetry and fiction, this seminar discusses what literature can tell us about human attitudes to nature, environmental crisis, globalisation, ethics and science, and the role literature may play in shaping environmental consciousness and discourses about the environment
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify and analyse recurring tropes, narrative structures, images and metaphors used in writing about environmental crisis
  2. Compare different kinds of discourses on the subject of environmental change, including literary, mythic, scientific and polemic discourse
  3. Compare and contrast the ways environmental issues have been treated in differing historical periods
  4. Synthesise relevant information and critical views on the course texts, and express critical arguments in both oral and written forms
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
  2. "Solar" by Ian McEwan
  3. "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
  4. "Strange as this Weather has been" by Ann Pancake
  5. "Year of the Flood" by Margaret Atwood
The above information outlines module EN3116: " Literature and Environmental Crisis B" and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.