Environmental Humanities

This transformative course is very much yours to mould to your own needs.

Core modules offer intensive introductions to new disciplinary perspectives, through critical focus on key concepts such as "the Anthropocene", the idea that Earth has now entered a new geological era, indelibly shaped by human activities. Multi-disciplinary research methods training will equip you to proceed to doctoral study in either humanities or social sciences, should you wish to do so.

Optional modules enable you to learn new approaches while also consolidating existing expertise in subjects such as geography, ecocriticism and literary studies, philosophy, ethics, environmental studies, or conservation. In addition, there are elective modules in creative writing, and your final project may be either a conventional written dissertation or a creative project. Previous examples of the latter have included projects based around poetry, photography and songwriting.

Your studies will be enriched by guest lectures hosted by our Research Centre for Environmental Humanities, including presentations by professionals from fields such as environmental arts, media, writing, and conservation, as well as by academic researchers in the Environmental Humanities.

This MA in Environmental Humanities will provide a solid basis from which to contribute to the "green" society and economy of the 21st century. It 's also a perfect preparation for doctoral research in this burgeoning field, at Bath Spa University or elsewhere.

Environmental Humanities core modules
The first core module introduces the Environmental Humanities by studying key concepts and issues through the complementary lenses of literary studies, cultural geography, anthropology, environmental ethcis and religious studies. A second core module offers training in relevant Interdisciplinary Research Methods.

Optional modules may be drawn from fields including:

• Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
• Creative Writing
• Ecocriticism
• Heritage Studies
• Environmental Anthropology

Please note that not all modules will run every year, and that admission to some may require you to show evidence of existing relevant skills.

This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information on which modules are core, required or optional.

• Environmental Humanities: Issues and Approaches
• Interdisciplinary Research Methods for the Environmental Humanities
• Environmental Humanities: Dissertation
• Environmental Humanities: Creative Project
• Environmental Ethics and Philosophy
• Environmental Writing and Ecocriticism
• Cultural Landscapes
• Managing Sustainability
• Perspectives of Outdoor Play
• Writing and the Environment
• The Writer and Place
• Contextualising Heritage

Assessment is primarily based on written assignments, but can also include assessed creative practice where appropriate.

Teaching methods vary with the modules chosen, but will primarily take the form of intensive workshops and seminars in small groups, supplemented by lectures and other activities as appropriate. If you choose creative writing or practice modules you will be intensively mentored by established practitioners.

Teaching staff include:

• Dr Mike Hannis (Course Director)
• Professor Sian Sullivan
• Dr Samantha Walton
• Dr Richard Kerridge
• Dr Paul Reid-Bowen
• Dr Richard Johnson
• Dr Giovanna Gioli.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Postgraduate studies are a significant investment. Bath Spa University has a wide range of funding possibilities to explore for UK/EU students.

Details of funding opportunities for international students can be found on our postgraduate finance page. 

Your MA in Environmental Humanities will provide a solid basis from which to contribute to the "green" society and economy of the 21st century. It is also a perfect preparation for doctoral research in this burgeoning field, at Bath Spa University or elsewhere.

The course is taught at our Newton Park campus.