English: Climate Change Fiction

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

The requirement for admission to the course is a Bachelor's degree including an independent project of at least 15 credits, or the equivalent in a foreign degree and English 6 or English level 2, alternatively IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 575.

In the course, representative works in English in the genre of climate fiction are studied, in addition to their cultural, social and political contexts, with a focus on issues in environmental humanities and current research and theories within the field. The reading list highlights questions about human rights and fairness issues with special relevance for the global challenges of climate change.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• give an account of representative English texts and authors with special focus on descriptions of challenges connected to climate changes;
• outline how norms, culture, religion, ethics and social conditions can be thought to shape and influence the relation between humans and nature in narratives about climate change;
• account for typical examples of current research discourses and literary theories with special focus on issues regarding climate change in a global context;

Competence and skills

• critically and systematically review how central ideas in literary works on climate change have been treated by literary theorists and literary critics;
• produce close readings and discussions of texts with advanced critical and analytical ability;

Judgement and approach

• make assessments of how texts and theories on climate change describe the interplay between social injustices, illness, natural environment and the chances for all people to have good living conditions.

The teaching is conducted in the form of seminars. The course is offered both on campus and online.

Language of instruction: English

All course learning outcomes are assessed in the form of oral presentations, short written assignments and a more extensive written final assignment which constitutes 70 % of the final grade.

Students who have failed any part of the course are given the possibility of a new test. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has passed a subtest may not do a new test for a higher grade. Nor do students have the right to withdraw a submitted test and in such a way avoid being graded.

If a student who has failed the same examined component twice, wants to change examiner before the next examination, they should submit a written request to the department responsible for the course. The request shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If the University of Gothenburg has decided that a student is eligible for special study support, the examiner may, provided it is compatible with the aim of the course and it can be done within the scope of available resources, decide to offer the student an adjusted examination or a different examination format.

If the course has been discontinued or substantially revised, a student should be guaranteed to sit the examination on at least three occasions (including the ordinary examination occasion) during a period of at least one year, but not later than two years after the course was discontinued or revised. As regards internships/placement the same as above applies, with the exception that examination is offered on only one occasion.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). For the grade Pass with distinction on the course, this grade is required on the final assignment. For the highest grade, there are higher requirements on analysis, problematizing and synthesis as well as linguistic ability.

The students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. The results of the evaluation are published digitally.

Equality aspects should be taken in consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.

To follow a web-based course, students must have access to a computer, web camera and stable internet connection.