Asian Environmental Humanities: Landscapes in Transition
In this course, featuring many researchers from the University of Zurich and international institutions, we will introduce you to some of the most vibrant cultural trends addressing landscape appreciation, degradation, protection, and rehabilitation that currently circulate in the Asian hemisphere. You will learn about concepts of landscape in Asian religions, philosophy, social sciences, history and the arts and their reverberation in selected environmental projects in China, India and Japan.
Buy Now AED 170.99 + VAT
Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 14 hours
- Course by University of Zurich
-
Offered by
About
In this course, featuring many researchers from the University of Zurich and international institutions, we will introduce you to some of the most vibrant cultural trends addressing landscape appreciation, degradation, protection, and rehabilitation that currently circulate in the Asian hemisphere. You will learn about concepts of landscape in Asian religions, philosophy, social sciences, history and the arts and their reverberation in selected environmental projects in China, India and Japan. Furthermore, we will discuss how they are critically reflected upon in the context of the environmental humanities, and observe how an interdisciplinary approach towards regional ecosystems past and present reaches out beyond pragmatic technological solutions to mitigate environmental damage. Following us on our different paths and trajectories through the five modules of the course, you will encounter many of the reasons why environmental humanities study projects which strive to change people's prevalent attitudes, values and behavioural patterns in order to redeem the rapidly globalizing crisis, and how they go about it. Having acquainted yourself with the stories Asia's landscapes " and landscape representations " tell about actual and possible human-nature relationships, you can compare and evaluate their potential to bring about the desired change and define your own range of actions as an informed stakeholder for creating a sustainable future. What is arguably no less intriguing: you will learn how to appreciate a broad range of eco-aesthetic forms that re-enchant our lives by creatively interacting with the more-than-human world. You can follow the five modules of the course consecutively or just study the modules that interest you the most. If you want to earn a certificate, you need to complete all of the modules including the quizzes at the end of each module. THESE ARE THE TOPICS OF THE 5 MODULES OF THIS COURSE: Module 1: Concepts of landscape past and present and their cosmological underpinnings. Module 2: Entangled landscapes comprising cultural flows of concepts and forms, contemporary gardens on the move, nostalgic elegies of demolished sites and rural reconstruction projects. Module 3: Discussion of two religious communities in India (the Parsi-Zoroastrians and the Auroville community) and their relationship with the environment. Module 4: Environmental debates tackling religious concepts and social practices and the problem of waste disposal in India. Module 5: Environmental movements and the impact of Fukushima on attitudes towards nuclear energy in Japan, creative activism including arts projects and documentaries to protest against pollution and landscape degradation and raise environmental awareness in the Sinosphere, and emergent concepts for sustainable community life on the planet.Modules
1.1 Introduction to the MOOC
-
1
Videos
1
Videos
- Introduction to the MOOC
1.2 Landscape in Theory and the Arts
-
4
Videos
-
1
Readings
4
Videos
- Landscape Theory Part 1
- Landscape Theory Part 2
- Museum Rietberg Chinese Landscape Art Collection
- Shanshui in Modern Art
1
Readings
- Recommended literature
1.3 Landscape and Body
-
3
Videos
-
3
Readings
3
Videos
- Landscape and Body, Part 1
- Landscape and Body, Part 2
- Landscape and Body, Part 3: Ecosickness narratives
3
Readings
- Text Relating to Ecosickness Video
- Recommended Videos
- Recommended Literature
1.4 Assessment Module 1
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 1
2.1 Chinese Gardens and Global Modernity
-
3
Videos
-
1
Readings
3
Videos
- History of Entangled Landscapes
- Chinese Gardens in Britain 1
- Chinese Gardens in Britain 2
1
Readings
- Recommended Reading
2.2 Gardens on the Move
-
2
Videos
-
1
Readings
2
Videos
- Chinese Literati Gardens
- Wädenswil Garden of TCM Herbs
1
Readings
- Recommended Reading
2.3 Hometown Nostalgia
-
3
Videos
-
1
Readings
3
Videos
- Demolition, Part 1
- Demolition, Part 2
- Hometown Nostalgia
1
Readings
- Recommended Videos
2.4 Rural Reconstruction
-
3
Videos
-
2
Readings
3
Videos
- New Village Movements
- Modern Landscaping
- Shaxi Reconstruction Project
2
Readings
- Recommended Videos
- Recommended Readings
2.5 Assessment Module 2
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 2
3.1 Introduction
-
3
Videos
3
Videos
- Learning Goals and Module Overview
- What is Religion?
- Religious Communities
3.2 Parsi-Zoroastrians
-
4
Videos
4
Videos
- Introduction to Zoroastrianism
- Dokhmenashini: System and Ritual
- Conflicts and Opinions
- Outcome: Doongerwadi as Entangled Landscape
3.3 Auroville
-
4
Videos
4
Videos
- History of Auroville
- A City as a Visionary Project for the Evolution of Mankind
- Community of a Location?
- Voices of Auroville
3.4 Conclusion and Quiz
-
1
Videos
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 3
1
Videos
- Conclusions
4.1 Environmental Debates: Religious Concepts and Social Practices
-
4
Videos
4
Videos
- Hindu Notions of Matter and Environment
- Waste, Pollution, and Cleaning
- Social Structures
- Sacred Rivers, Polluted Water
4.2 Waste Disposal: Social and Economic Contexts
-
4
Videos
4
Videos
- Manual Scavenging
- Public Sanitation
- India's Economy of Waste
- Solid Waste Collectors
Assessment Module 4
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 4
5.1 Japan Before and After Fukushima
-
4
Videos
-
1
Readings
4
Videos
- Social Movements in Japan
- Environmental Movements in Japan
- New Movements after Fukushima
- Spirit of Nuclear Energy in Japan
1
Readings
- Reading Recommendations
5.2 Environmental Awareness in China
-
2
Videos
-
2
Readings
2
Videos
- China's Environmental History
- China's Environmental Modernization
2
Readings
- Environmental Awareness and Material Ecology
- Reading and Viewing Recommendations
5.3 Nonhuman Ecolife: Scale and Interconnectedness
-
2
Videos
-
3
Readings
2
Videos
- Ecodocumentaries from the Sinosphere
- Representing Animals and Problems of Speciesism
3
Readings
- Video Recommendations
- Recommended Reading
- Lee, Haiyan. “The Silence of Animals: Writing on the Edge of Anthropomorphism in Contemporary Chinese Literature.” ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment.
5.4 Environmental Activism across Borders
-
2
Videos
-
1
Readings
2
Videos
- Postcolonial Environmentalism 1: Hong Kong
- Postcolonial Environmentalism 2: Taiwan
1
Readings
- Recommended Reading
5.5 Conclusion
-
1
Videos
-
1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Module 5
1
Videos
- Conclusion
Auto Summary
Immerse yourself in the dynamic intersection of culture and nature with the "Asian Environmental Humanities: Landscapes in Transition" course. This comprehensive program, curated by esteemed researchers from the University of Zurich and other global institutions, offers an in-depth exploration into the appreciation, degradation, protection, and rehabilitation of landscapes within the Asian context. Delve into the rich tapestry of landscape concepts rooted in Asian religions, philosophy, social sciences, history, and the arts. Understand how these ideas are reflected in environmental projects across China, India, and Japan, and critically examined within the environmental humanities framework. The course emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, extending beyond mere technological solutions to address environmental issues, aiming to transform societal attitudes and behaviors towards a sustainable future. The course is structured into five engaging modules: 1. **Exploring Historical and Modern Landscape Concepts**: - Discover the cosmological foundations of landscape views, past and present. 2. **Cultural and Environmental Interactions**: - Examine cultural flows, contemporary gardens, nostalgic reflections on demolished sites, and rural reconstruction efforts. 3. **Religious Environmental Connections in India**: - Investigate the environmental relationships within the Parsi-Zoroastrian and Auroville communities. 4. **Environmental Debates and Practices in India**: - Discuss religious and social practices related to environmental issues, including waste management. 5. **Environmental Movements and Creative Activism**: - Analyze the impact of Fukushima on Japan's nuclear energy attitudes, and explore creative activism and sustainable community concepts in the Sinosphere. Each module can be taken consecutively or individually, based on your interest. To earn a certificate, complete all modules and pass the quizzes. This foundation-level course spans approximately 840 minutes and is available through Coursera with flexible subscription options, including Starter, Professional, and Paid plans. It is ideal for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of environmental humanities and become an informed stakeholder in creating a sustainable future. Enhance your appreciation for eco-aesthetic forms and discover how creative interactions with the natural world can enrich our lives and drive meaningful change. Join today and embark on a journey through the vibrant landscapes of Asia.
Andrea Riemenschnitter