SoSe 20: PS-Surveying English Literatures: Ecocriticism
Peter Löffelbein
Comments
First established as a critical movement in the 1970s, ecocriticism has been described as “the application of ecology and ecological concepts to the study of literature” (Rueckert 1996 [1978], 107). With humanity facing the challenge of a global environmental crisis, ecoctritical approaches have gained more attention in recent years and diversified their fields of inquiries: representations of nature, the challenge of non-human perspectives in story-telling and the problem of anthropocentrism in the humanities are all part of ecocritical engagement.
The course aims at familiarizing students with central premises, aims and implications of ecocriticism. Together, we will look at theoretical as well as literary texts, from Anglo-Saxon writings to contemporary works. What does it mean to read these texts ecocritically and what do we gain by doing so? What challenges does ecocriticism imply for literary studies and literary theory in general? And what does it have to say about the role of the humanities, now and in the future?
Rueckert, William (1996 [1978]). “Literature and Ecology: An Experiment in Ecocriticism”. In: Glotfelty, Cheryll/Harold Fromm (Eds). The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology. Athens/London: University of Georgia.
close12 Class schedule
Regular appointments