SPAN30300 Art in the Anthropocene

Academic Year 2024/2025

The ‘Anthropocene’ is a term widely used since its coining in the early twenty-first century to refer to the present geological time interval, in which many conditions and processes on Earth are profoundly altered by human impact. Used in a variety of cultural and scientific contexts, the Age of the Anthropocene has become core to debates amongst researchers, conservationists, poets, philosophers, politicians and activists. This module explores the Anthropocene through the work of writers, filmmakers, visual and performance artists in the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Understand the main concerns of the Anthropocene.
2. Identify written and visual or performative imagery that engages with the Anthropocene.
3. Situate artworks in relation to wider social, political and historical context.
4. Analyse and interpret a written text, artwork or performance piece.
5. Argue in detail and at length about an aspect of the topic, supporting the argument with evidence from the text/image/performance and with secondary sources.
6. Engage with critical theory.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will explore texts, artworks and films from a range of creators. It includes an introduction to the Posthuman through discussion of Inger Christensen's 'The alphabet' poem.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

34
Autonomous Student Learning

52
Lectures

24
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The classes comprise of a lecture/tutorial hybrid. The first weeks are spent introducing students to the conceptual framework of the Anthropocene before analytical activities can take place. Students are encouraged to analyse a variety visual and performance art in small group settings and in larger class discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60
Assignment(Including Essay): Critical commentary (max. 1,500 words) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.