HEN606 Nature and environmental themes in the work of John Ruskin

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2009
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Bohuslav Binka, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Karel Stibral, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Naděžda Vlašín Johanisová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Zbyněk Ulčák, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ivona Tolarová
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 M117
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 16 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/16, only registered: 0/16, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/16
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of this course the student will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the works of John Ruskin, one of the key English thinkers of the 19th century. This art critic, artist, philospher and,last but not least, social thinker and economist, was influenced by the Romantic movement and his work was based on a critical stance towards European civilisation and its relationship to nature. Via seminar discussions and presentations, the student will broaden her/his knowledge of the religious and philosophical roots of Ruskin´s work, of his criticism of works of art depicting nature, of his aesthetic admiration of nature, and last but not least of some of his social and economic insights and ideas. During the course, the student will also deepen his/her capabilities of analysis, abstraction, listening to others, discussion and written expression.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introductory session: an Introduction to Ruskin´s life and work and the main themes of the course. Distribution of assignments. 2.-11. Presentation of students´ assignments, group discussions. 12. Final sesion, group discussion and reflection of course topics.
Literature
  • RUSKIN, John. Dvě stezky. Translated by Václav Alois Jung. V Praze: Jan Laichter, 1909, 200 s. URL info
  • RUSKIN, John. Lectures on landscape ; Michael Angelo & Tintoret ; The eagle's nest ; Ariadne Florentina : with notes for other Oxford lectures. Edited by E. T. Cook - Alexander Wedderburn. Library ed. London: George Allen, 1906, xliv, 538. info
  • RUSKIN, John. Unto this last ; Munera Pulveris ; Time and tide : with other writings on political economy, 1860-1873. Edited by E. T. Cook - Alexander Wedderburn. Library ed. London: George Allen, 1905, cxv, 565 s. info
  • RUSKIN, John. Modern painters. Vol. 4 containing Pt. 5. On mountain beauty. Edited by E. T. Cook - Alexander Wedderburn. Library ed. London: George Allen, 1904, xxx, 487 s. info
  • RUSKIN, John. Johna Ruskina Výklady o umění : přednesené posluchačům university Oxfordské. Translated by Václav Alois Jung. V Praze: nákladem Jana Laichtera na Král. Vinohradech, 1901, 160 stran. info
  • Doba a její lidé. Edited by Jan Váňa. Praha: Tiskem a nákladem J. Otty, 1898, 84 s. info
Teaching methods
The course will be stuctured in interactive seminar mode. At the first session, the student, after consultation with the teachers, will select one of Ruskins´ texts (approximately 20 pages in English or 60 pages in Czech). Based on this reading, she/he will prepare a paper of classic conference length (i.e. 20 minutes). After the paper has been read and discussed, the student will ammend the text according to insights gained in the discussion and will finalise and submit the text. The course is evaluated on a pass-fail basis, i.e. there is no grading.
Assessment methods
To successfully take this course, the student needs to present a 20 minute paper analysing a selected text by Ruskin (in form this a should be a summary of the text supplemented by a crictical evaluation). The paper will be evaluated according to criteria which students will be given at the start of the course. Given the character of the course, students need to take part in at least 70 percent of the sessions and actively participate in the discussions.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
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