Writing Ecology: Becoming a Writer of your Own Square Mile

Overview

Admiration for the person who knows his or her own `milltir sgawr? (square mile) intimately is a longstanding feature of Welsh cultural life. Following the example of writers as Thoreau, Gillian Clarke and R.S. Thomas, each student will explore and record the natural world on their own doorstep. From parks to back gardens to celebrated beauty spots, we all have our own `square mile?

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.   

Unit 1 - Defining ‘Your Own Square Mile’ with a look at Paul Evan’s 2011 Condry Lecture, mapping it in words. A look at some poems and texts. Starting to explore your text and keeping a journal. Introductory TEAMS session.

Unit 2 - Critical evaluation of various journals, the contemporary At the Source by Gillian Clarke, Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and some recent Guardian ‘Country Diaries’.  

Unit 3 - Your own field trip, becoming aware of outer and inner landscapes, the rewards of daily recording, insights and awareness of change in one place.Poetry examples that reflect this.  

Unit 4 - Relationships between place, animals, birds, insects etc. Presenting these, anthropomorphism, sharing something from personal journals.  

Unit 5 - Characters and people shaped by place with a look at the poetry of R.S.Thomas, Gillian Clarke, Alice Oswald. A mid-way TEAMS session will be provided.  

Unit 6 - Changing elements, how light falls, wind, weather, time and seasons. Conflicts, a look at poems by Christine Evans and R.S.Thomas.  

Unit 7 - Stock-taking...looking at emphasis and areas of interest developing from a close to a wide focus.  

Unit 8 - The power of naming- real and personal places, relics, folklore, myths, our responses to them.  

Unit 9 - Bring the strands together- a live TEAMS session to celebrate the end of the module and focus on the final assignments. There will be a chance for students to submit questions and receive personal feedback.   

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:  

1. Identify and evaluate various approaches to writing about the natural world through close observation.   
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the various styles and stances of eco writing and nature writing.   
3. Demonstrate an ability to develop and produce a piece of eco writing or nature writing.  

Assessments

1. A critical portfolio (50%) 

• Writings from direct experiences of the natural world.  
• Critical reflections on the process of creating the developed piece of writing (see below).  
• Critical reflections on some of the course reading materials (or on prenegotiated wider reading).   

2. Structured article 600-800 words or 2-3 poems or 1-2 Haibuns, mixture of prose and Haiku.(50%)  

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.