Ecomedia

Ecomedia

Alicia Carroll, Associate Professor of English

Course Description: This course centers on mid to late twentieth and early twenty-first century American films that explore conflicts between culture, the environment, and technology. We will study the paradox of “ecomedia” which is that although such films depict “the environment” they are ultimately technological achievements. As we will see, this paradox is explored in Sean Cubit’s recent book Ecomedia in which he argues that “Technology has a unique position in mediating between the human world and the natural.” To create a more inclusive environmentalism, we will take that one step further and explore ways in which ecomedia construct notions of nation, race, class, sexual orientation, and gender. As we study non-print media as it applies to environmental discourse and action we will ask if our films and stories have held us back? If so, how could they move us forward? This will be a central question of the course.

Full syllabus (PDF): ASLE_Syllabi_EcomediaCarroll