Eco/geo/zoo/apo/trans - Literature Responses to the Environmental Crisis 3304-2DXW-WM-EKO-OG

The lecture will show how contemporary French and Francophone literature, using scientific research from fields as diverse as biology, psychology, cybernetics or anthropology, builds ecological awareness and shapes our sensitivity to the environment. It is the paucity or weakening of this sensitivity, resulting in a loosening of ties with nature, that is, according to many thinkers associated with ecology, the main cause of the current climate crisis. During the lecture, we will learn about the theoretical foundations of such currents as ecocriticism, ecopoetics, zoopoetics, geopoetics, ecofeminism or transhumanism, which help to read contemporary literary texts focused on environmental issues. We will also look at the literary forms (philosophical tale, diary, poem, catastrophic novel, etc.) that writers use to express their anxiety about the passing of the world as we know it or their concern for the world that will come after a catastrophe (post-apocalyptic literature). Our focus will include, among others: Céline Minard, Antoine Wauters, Véronique Bergen, Gisèle Bienne, Alice Ferney, Guillaume Poix, Gaspard Koenig, Laurent Mauvignier, Élisabeth Filhol, Gabrielle Filteau-Chiba.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Judyta Zbierska-Mościcka

Learning outcomes

Students will know and understand:
K_W01 to an in-depth degree the place and significance of the humanities, in particular literary studies, in the system of sciences and their subject and methodological specificities
K_W02 in-depth understanding of the general and specific terminology of French literary studies and of art history
K_W03 in-depth study of the basic and complex processes taking place in language and literature in the countries of the French-speaking cultural area, especially in the field of the relationship between literature and the fine arts
K_W04 in-depth research trends, directions and methodologies in language and literature studies, especially in the countries of the French-speaking cultural area
K_W05 in depth basic and complex issues in general, French and Francophone literary studies
K_W09 in-depth detailed principles of analysis and interpretation of texts belonging to different literary eras
Able to:
K_U05 recognise, analyse to a deeper degree and interpret different types of cultural production (language, literature), using adequate and complex terminology and appropriate methods and techniques
K_K03 be open to individual and cultural differences and understand their ethical dimension

Assessment criteria

- attendance is required; a student who misses a class more than 2 times will be asked to come on duty to discuss the content of the class during which he/she was absent or will be given an additional question on the test;
- two tests (in the middle and at the end of the semester)

Bibliography

Cavallin, Jean-Christophe, Valet noir. Vers une écologie du récit, 2021.
Descola, Philippe, Par-delà nature et culture, 2005.
Engélibert, Jean-Paul, Apocalypse sans royaume. Politique des fictions de la fin du monde (XXe-XXIe s.), 2013.
Larrère, Catherine, L’écoféminisme, 2023.
Maftei, Mara Magda, Fictions posthumanistes. Représentations littéraires et critiques du transhumanisme, 2022.
Morizot, Baptiste, L’Inexploré, 2023.
Schoentjes, Pierre, Littérature et écologie. Le Mur des abeilles, 2020.
Simon, Anne, Une bête entre les lignes. Essai de zoopoétique, 2021.

A list of books cited or consulted will be given at each lecture.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3304-2DXW-WM-EKO-OG in USOSweb