KUN2580 ¨C Art and Ecology

Course content

In this course, art will be studied in relation to ecology. It covers environmental approaches to aesthetic practices in a global context drawing on examples from the early modern period until today.

The course starts with discussing the impact of the environment on art before and during the Anthropocene, for example highlighting the formative importance of climatic conditions and natural resources, and ends with considering the intersections between art, ecocriticism, and environmental activism today.?

Period conceptualizations of ¡®nature¡¯ will be reviewed and contemporary theories on the ecology of art in colonial and postcolonial settings will be discussed against the background of ongoing debates on sustainability, climate change and resource wars.

Learning outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

-?? ?Discuss aspects of art, visual and material culture in relation to ecology and understand and articulate some of the theoretical issues around the global histories of art, visual and material culture.

-?? ?Systematically analyze and interpret works of art, e.g., by describing forms, processes, tools, and materials with appropriate technical vocabulary introduced in lectures and readings.?

-?? ?Relate works of art to their wider historical and cultural context with a special focus on ecology and understand the circumstances surrounding their creation and reception.

-?? ?Apply and evaluate different types of primary and secondary sources and make use of library resources.

-? ? ?Participate in group discussion and present their ideas to peers.

-?? ?Communicate both orally and in writing academic English.?

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

• KUN1000 - Introduksjon til kunsthistorie eller tilsvarende
• KUN1002 - Billedkunst og arkitektur fra barokk til samtid eller tilsvarend

Teaching

12 lectures/seminars (each of 2 x 45 min)

The teaching is a combination of lectures and?seminars. We expect you to meet prepared for classes and to actively participate in discussions and to give a presentation on assigned topics/texts.

Mandatory activities:

- one oral presentation by each student

- one written assignment of maximum 1,000 words/ 4 pages?

Examination

Semester essay of maximum 3,500 words.

The essay must consist of up to 8 pages/3,500 words (not including illustrations, notes and reference).

The assignment will be handed in using Inspera. You must familiarize yourself with the login and submission procedures in timely manner before the exam. Read more about Inspera below.

When writing a semester essay, you are entitled to individual guidance by your teacher. To be eligible for this guidance you must submit a draft of your paper that meets certain requirements. More detailed information about guidance and how to submit your draft will be given by the teacher during class or in Canvas.

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.