Environment, Culture & Communication

• This programme is at the very cutting edge of an emerging subject area, related to ecocriticism and green studies. It is among the first in the world to blend disciplines in order to better understand environmental issues from multiple perspectives.
• Teaching is closely linked with the Solway Centre for Environment & Culture, a research centre providing opportunity for further research and collaboration.
• The programme has an applied focus and we work closely with the Crichton Carbon Centre, delivery partners for some of our courses.
• The degree features a programme of guest speakers from relevant fields and publications.
• Links with environmental publishers provide you with opportunities for practical experience, and to submit work for publication.
• The School of Interdisciplinary Studies is one of the UK's foremost pockets of expertise in interdisciplinary environmental teaching and research. Accompanying postgraduate programmes include MSc Applied Carbon Management and MSc Environmental Science, Technology & Society.
• Dumfries & Galloway, in south west Scotland, is an ideal location for environmental study and research. The unspoilt beaches, hills and forests provide a stunning and diverse outdoor classroom, while the region's thriving artistic community, which specialises in environmental art, is a great source of inspiration.

Programme overview

• MLitt: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time.

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies specialises in small group teaching. We recognise that this is important at postgraduate level, and it means you will build a good relationship with academic staff. Your contributions will be valued and you will receive a high level of individual support.
Teaching includes lectures, tutorials, discussions, workshops, guest speakers and field study trips. You will have the opportunity to study alongside students on related environmental programmes.
There is a choice of project work: you can choose to engage with a particular contemporary environmental issue or case study, OR to undertake a personal interaction with the features of a particular location, examining notions of place creatively.

The final summative assessment for the course is a 12-15000 word dissertation, through which you can develop and demonstrate independent research skills.

Core courses

• Reading the environment: old and new world romanticisms
• Environmental communication*
• Writing the environment: modern and contemporary nature writing
• Environmental politics and society*

*You must take at least one of these courses.

Optional courses

• Climate change: impacts on ecology
• Environment, technology and society
• Environmental ethics and behavioural change
• Environmental history
• Folklore and the cultural history of animals
• South west Scotland: image and identity.

Career prospectsGraduates will develop skills and knowledge relevant for employment in fields such as environmental education, arts and culture, media and journalism, advertising and consultancy or pursuing further postgraduate work to PhD level.