Module: BIO5106-20 The Wild Muse: Creative Explorations of Nature

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Ralph Thompson

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.thompson@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

To give students a framework to express their responses to wildlife, nature and conservation in a creative way. The module will introduce students to the idea that creative and expressive arts can have an impact on the thoughts, attitudes of behaviour of the public, and therefore can play an important role in wildlife conservation. We will also explore some of the ethical issues associated with communicating emotive messages, and the mental health benefits of expressing concerns in art. We will discuss how different methods of expression may benefit different people and different methods of communication that may be most effective with different audiences.

Students will then have the opportunity to create their own artwork reflecting these themes.

The module will develop students’ competency in creative enterprise as a key transferable skill.

2. Outline syllabus

Lectures/seminars/workshops will cover themes such as:

• How art makes us think (examples of seminal artworks)

• Creating emotional connections through art

• Different art for different people

• Variation in priorities and concerns

• Art in activism

• Empowering people through art

• Enhancing employability through the creation of an artistic showcase

• Mindful interactions with nature

• Workshops in artistic techniques (e.g. life drawing, ceramics)

• Case Studies (e.g. Painted Dog Project , orchestras and bird song, ‘Slow Art’)

3. Teaching and learning activities

Teaching will be provided through seminars, workshops and directed self-study/practice.

Workshops and directed time will have a focus on playful and practice-based learning and iterative empirical self and group discovery following the pedagogic principles of constructivism.

Assessment will be based around a project of the student’s choice that creates a creative or expressive work of art which relates in some way to wildlife conservation. Ideally something that can be ‘released’ into the real world to have an impact and to show potential employers. Final work will be displayed in an exhibition organised by students and staff at the end of the module.

Depending on the nature of the work this could be individual (e.g. a painting) or created as a group (e.g. a short play).

Examples of starting points:

• Create a work of art what expresses your feelings about wildlife or the impact that humans have on wildlife

• Create a work of art that reflects on human nature and your experiences of what it is to be human as part of the natural world

• Create a painting or sculpture that reflects the experience of the students and will challenge the viewer to confront the place of humanity in nature/conservation challenges or encourage them to value wildlife

• Design and illustrate a leaflet to convey a conservation message to a local rural group with low levels of literacy

• Produce a poster or short video for use by a wildlife advocacy group or to encourage BSU students to adopt more wildlife friendly behaviours

• Design a garden/park to encourage engagement with/learning about wildlife through engagement

• Choreograph an interpretive dance to raise awareness of environmental destruction

• Write a short play that demonstrates a behavioural change that could benefit nature

• Design clothing that reflects on the places of the individual or humanity as a whole in nature

• Write a song that that celebrates an aspect of the natural world

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Produce an (individual or group) expressive/creative work that reflects personal experience of nature and/or coveys a conservation message, and present with an oral explanation

• % Weighting: 70%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Sketchbook of the process of creation (approx. 10 pages)

• % Weighting: 30%