Schedule, syllabus and examination date

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.

Overlapping courses

  • 10 credits overlap with