General comments
►► The course has opened my eyes to a lot of issues. Mostly the power of language and its effect on the environment.
►► I have learnt about a connection that I have never really considered before. It has been interesting and insightful.
►► I definitely feel that I have discovered the relationship between language & ecology, how I perceive the world around me, and how language has certain power in constructing the world
►► I will now think more when I look at discourses to do with the natural world, as to whether they are displaying and encouraging a positive perception of our ecosystems or not
►► The power of language to construct things that are not essentially real is huge. The whole course was thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely fascinating.
►► I think it may make me more aware of my responsibility to our environment, and make me more suspicious of certain discourses that may have a detrimental effect on the environment
►► This course has made me realise the power and impact that language can have, and how nowadays it is integral to our life - in magazines, adverts, TV shows we are surrounded by language which constructs our thoughts/views of the world
►► Although I have always appreciated how language constructs and influences behaviour, this course has really captured my interest regarding that! A really enjoyable course!!
►► It’s definitely changed how I look at things around me, especially in adverts and magazines
►► This course has definitely changed the way I perceive language in media, magazines and on TV etc. I am now more critical about how language is used in these aspects, especially when related to ecology
►► I am more aware in general of how language is so important in our society.
►► This course has changed my attitudes towards language. I am now finding myself analysing texts and thinking about the effects of the texts. I am also more conscious of my own impact on the environment.
►► I can now find myself analysing materials in a manner I would not have done before
►► It has changed the way I read articles and see advertising etc. It has also made me think more about he environment and what I can do to help.
►► I have begun to shop differently already. I am much more aware of my surroundings
►► I feel that this course has opened my eyes to a certain extent and will influence my lifestyle
►► When I read articles I start to think about how I perceive the world around me
►► I have thoroughly enjoyed the module. Yes I have learned about the true power of language. I think EVERYONE should take this module
►► Thinking of wildlife and nature more, I actually look around me now
Comments from students on the first session of the course, which introduces the relationship between language and ecology:
►► This is a very new subject - something I haven’t thought about much but it sounds like it’s going to be very interesting. Our tasks today in the session made me think more deeply about language and ecology and the relationship between the two. This course sounds like it’s going to open my eyes more to what’s going on in the world around me.
►► It was really really fun, interesting and insightful. I really enjoyed the discussions and ideas that were shared amongst the group. I enjoyed the fact that everyone’s opinion is listened to and valued.
►► Fantastic idea to combine ecology and language: to link between the two is essential if we want to get anywhere near saving the planet.
►► This introductory class gave me an initial insight into the link between language and ecology which until now I was not consciously aware of. The idea that the language we use and the actions we take in fact have a huge impact on our lives and the future of the environment was a valuable insight for me.
►► Good to do a course that is relevant to everyday life and my life in the future.
►► An interesting link with the media and advertising, and how susceptible we are to what we read. I’m looking forward to working with real texts and adverts which persuade us to treat the environment badly at a hidden level. I believe analysis of some products will be shocking yet fascinating. A great first start to the course.
►► It was interesting to be able to see the link between language and the constant messages we are bombarded with in our everyday lives in relation to the environment. Looking at these things in a contemporary way (e.g, the MacDonald’s corporation or the film Super Size Me) gives a realistic perspective on the ideas presented and generates more interest and ideas as we are all affected by these things.
►► The session allowed me to consider what ‘ecology’ means and how it can be effected in many ways. I had not considered the full impact of advertising and persuasive language and how this can have a dramatic affect on the world around us.
Comments from students on the second session, which explores the role that language plays in constructing social reality and the consequent ecological effects:
►► A great insight into how language and ecology come together. Very interesting how language can be used and makes you think about how advertising/media can have such an influence if you do not learn to ‘read between the lines’ of what they are saying.
►► It was interesting to learn how much the environment influences our language and how we have become so abstracted from the source of our language - how we have entered an artificial world. Even at this early stage in the course I am thoroughly enjoying it and the way in which it is taught.
►► I felt that this session really opened my eyes to the distinctions that language creates in the modern world. It was good to discuss the divisions and problems that abstract entities constructed by language, such as nations and economic systems, cause in everyday life.
►► It was interesting to consider how ecology affects humans in so many ways and not just the environment. The claim that language has alienated us from the world around us seems extreme when first put forward. However, on further exploration and thought I can see how particularly in the western world this is the case.
Comments from students on the third session, which explores how gender is constructed by advertisers in ways which encourage consumerism:
►► I had not noticed how much of an influence the media has on human life and how this affects the environment. This course is opening my mind to the way in which language is used to influence us.
►► I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the structure, specifically the group discussion and feedback. I feel it’s a very constructive way of learning and exploring. I was amazed at the revelations of Men’s Health Magazine and the way it used language for hidden purposes.
►► Interesting session this week - was really surprising to look at men’s magazines and the images they are trying to convey.
►► Today I enjoyed putting what we have learnt so far into practice. By taking actual articles and magazine covers and looking at the language and making gender comparisons I felt we were relating the things we have learned about ecology to language.
►► I found today’s session very interesting. I enjoy analysing magazines and other forms of media. The links and ecological issues that were raised in class discussions fascinated me. I noticed a link with nature and gender, the way women are portrayed in harmony with nature whereas men are always striving to beat it.
►► I didn’t realise that there was such a big link between gender and the environment. I enjoyed looking at magazines as they are a big part of our lives. Interesting insights and analyses.
►► Looking at the language and attitudes of the men’s magazine was really fun. I really enjoyed it. The link between consumerism and gender was obvious but the knock-on effect to ecology I hadn’t considered too much before. Very interesting.
►► Clearly Men’s Health magazine is just the tip of the ice-burg and promotes stereotypical images of and behaviours in men - the knock-on effect is damaging not only to the environment but also to men’s health, stress levels, anxiety over body image and dissatisfaction with lifestyle. There are also many women’s magazines doing the same thing.
►► It was surprising to learn of the links between gender and ecology. It’s something I have never really thought about but it is a big problem both socially and ecologically. The session highlighted the ideologies created by Men’s Health Magazine. Men are targeted by this magazine and they are shown ways to become bigger and better men, partly through consuming products advertised in the magazine. These ideologies have an impact on the environment such as the pollution caused by the big powerful cars advertised in the magazine. It is a case of cause and effect but one with hidden messages and moral implications.
Comments from students on the fourth session, which explores the social construction of money and its consequential environmental impacts:
►► I found the session really useful. It was interesting to analyse the way we are fooled into thinking we need material items to make us happy. Also I found it useful to ‘wise up’ to the techniques that banks use to get us to borrow.
►► Was good to look at the language used by banks and advertising and the way they constructed the concept of happiness. One again made me look at the world in a different light.
►► Enjoyed the session, again thought the technique of looking at real texts was a good way to practically engage with the information. I had not realised the link between advertising products and images of ‘happiness’ (family relationships, friends, time outdoors etc) so it was a good insight.
►► Hadn’t really considered the relationship between economics and the environment before, but the session made me want to read more about the matter. Great enthusiasm as always!
