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The Anthropocene is the name for a proposed geological epoch during in which human activity has transformed the planet. But it also marks a series of emergencies and unpredictable events, from floods to heat waves, the frequency of which has accelerated. It encompasses the historical complex of human interactions with other species and environments that are generating planetary transformations at multiple levels, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms.

This module examines destructive environmental changes, human activities and how humans have responded to these (including by engaging with the non-human). The Anthropocene has migrated and mutated across numerous disciplines from its initial home in the earth sciences into the social sciences, humanities and arts. Indeed, this module will explore why there are both political and scientific debates about the meaning and value of the concept, and why artists and novelists, as well as social and natural scientists and historians are engaging with the concept of the Anthropocene.

The module will also allow students to think forward about how we could use the disciplinary resources provided in the module to respond to the Anthropocene. It is intended for students from natural and social sciences and the humanities, and does not presume prior knowledge from any one field.

This module will enable students to:

1. Understand the scientific basis and controversies behind the idea of the Anthropocene;
2. Understand the historical and political drivers of anthropogenic climate change, species extinctions, ecological alteration, and pandemic diseases;
3. Analyse a wide range of non-western approaches to these phenomena, including in art and literature;
4. Explore a range of possibilities and barriers in responding to the problems of the Anthropocene.

Learning outcomes for this module include:

1. Providing students with knowledge and understanding of key anthropogenic impacts on the planet in terms of climate change, biodiversity, resource depletion, pollution.
2. Exploring different traditions (from scientific to ‘indigenous’ forms of knowledge) as well as different ways of responding and representing this (from politics to art).
3. Providing students with the ability to comprehend the scale and interconnections of these effects as well as the conceptual skills to be able to reflect on the pros and cons of different ways of representing/conceptualizing them.
4. Strengthening students’ abilities to diagnose possible transferable and practical ways of responding to these challenges.

Teaching delivery:Ìý2 hour weekly seminar and a 1h lecture