Assignment on 'Knowledges of Nature' in Everyday Environments

Part 1: Selecting and discussing four images that connect with appropriate definitions of nature and relevant literature in cultural geography

The aim of this assignment is to identify and critically interpret 'knowledges of nature' cognitive, moral and aesthetic that are found in or associated with every day, ordinary environments. The assignment requires you to apply and discuss a set of theories associated with nature. The assignment takes the format of an ‘album’ where you present and discuss each image in turn. The idea of the nature album comes from Cronon (1996), which contains albums of ‘found objects’ that raise provocative questions about the different meanings of nature in the modern world. Part 1

First, find three images that represent ‘nature’; one image for each different form of knowledge about nature including newspapers, magazines, advertisements, pamphlets, etc. (try to avoid online photo libraries, which may lack reference to the point of origin). The images must be included in your submitted assignment, preferably in colour (if the original image is colour). You can be imaginative in your approach to nature, but you must ensure you have an appropriate image associated with each type of knowledge about nature: cognitive, moral, or aesthetic. For each image, write a paragraph that explores and interprets the specific type of knowledge of nature associated with the image. Your discussion of each image should connect with appropriate definitions of nature  and be informed by relevant literature in cultural geography, e.g. relating to the context(s) of the images you have selected and the ideas about nature that you discuss. A workshop in week 3 will focus on part one of the assignment task. Part 2

Find a fourth image that incorporates two different knowledges of nature (e.g. aesthetic and cognitive, aesthetic and moral etc), and critically compare the representation of nature across these two different categories of knowledge, informed by literature on nature in cultural geography A workshop in week 7 will focus on representation and comparison. Part 3: Reflect on the content of your album and write a paragraph at the end that explores the relationship between definitions of nature, the images and cultural geography  Your reflection could consider how geography is conveyed within the album (e.g. locations, space, place, landscape); you might consider whether any particular themes or commonalities emerge. How do the themes that emerge in your album relate to cultural geography literature? Do any points of connection and/or difference emerge across the album in relation to definitions of nature? These might relate to points of origin, referent(s) and addressees, or tacit and formal knowledge. Your notes from the seminar discussions in weeks 2, 4 and 6 will assist in developing perspectives on cultural geography, critical reflection and comparison. All images should be titled, labelled and referred to as figures, with image sources referenced correctly.

Part 2: Critical analysis of the geographies of nature represented in contemporary popular culture

This is a synoptic assignment, in which you are expected to draw upon themes and knowledge from across the breadth of the module, synthesising relevant debates, issues, theories and concepts, whilst demonstrating your advanced research of relevant topics in cultural geography. Please remember this is an essay in human geography.

1. Write a critical analysis of the geographies of nature represented in contemporary popular culture. Select ONE specific item of popular culture to analyse from the following list: a Disney cartoon/film, a children's book, a television documentary, a novel or a popular film.Your essay should analyse three topics or themes associated with nature within your selected item.

2. In the twenty-first century, “Nature is being put to work in ways that signal not so much its disappearance as its transmogrification” (Franklin et al, 2000:19). Critically assess this statement from the perspective of a cultural geographer. Your response should include case studies from two units on the module: natural histories, cities and gardens, future natures.

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3. Discuss the extent to which space and time shape the geographies of nature in EITHER the natural history museum OR the botanic garden. Your response should include examples from the relevant webinar and be informed critically by wider research and reading in cultural geography. Responses to each question should demonstrate your wider reading and research of topics beyond the lecture slides. A guidance sheet for preparing case studies for essays is available on Moodle. You have the opportunity to submit an essay plan (single side A4) in the workshop in week 10 and obtain verbal feedback in advance of the final essay deadline.

Planning your Essay:

Use the reading list in the module handbook as a starting point for your research, plus the additional ‘themed’ lists for each unit. Credit will be given for demonstrating breadth and depth of reading, appropriate discussion of relevant theories, and research of relevant case studies/examples, beyond the material supplied in lectures, workshops and seminars. If relevant to your chosen essay topic, information collected during webinars can be incorporated in your essay (referenced correctly), but it must not be your sole source of information and should be supplemented by further academic reading and examples. A good essay will incorporate a minimum of 10 relevant academic references (books, journals) in the reference list. I will be expecting essays to have clearly stated introductions and an organised structure including well- defined main body (you may use thematic sub-headings judiciously for sections, but avoid having a sub-heading for each paragraph), and a conclusion which indicates that the essay question has been answered.