Environmental Study–II

Course Type	Course Code	No. Of Credits
Discipline Core	SCC1VA114	1

Programme Coordinator: Dr. Kshama Divedi

1. Does the course connect to, build on or overlap with any other courses offered in AUD?

Yes. This course directly builds upon the foundations laid in Environmental Studies–I from the first semester. While the first semester introduced fundamental ecological awareness, this course advances into complex socio-ecological interactions, environmental policies, and global climate issues. It continues to overlap with and complement core second-semester studio practices (such as advanced painting, printmaking, and site-specific installations) by encouraging students to critically analyze material life cycles, resource conservation, and the ecological footprint of their expanding creative outputs.

3. Specific requirements on the part of students who can be admitted to this course: None (Pre-requisites; prior knowledge level; any others – please specify) None.

The course is designed for first-year undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Visual Art programme. No prior knowledge is required.

4. No. of students to be admitted (with justification if lower than usual cohort size is proposed):

Usual cohort size as approved for the Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) programme.

5. Course scheduling (semester; semester-long/half-semester course; workshop mode; seminar mode; any other – please specify):

Semester-long, Mode: Theory, Interactive and Project-based Course

5. How does the course link with the vision of AUD?

The course deeply aligns with AUD’s vision of nurturing socially responsible, critically engaged citizens. By focusing on pressing contemporary themes like environmental justice, climate change, and sustainability policies, the course pushes students beyond abstract theory into real-world ethical problem-solving. It fosters interdisciplinary thinking by challenging young artists to bridge the gap between human civic responsibilities, environmental ethics, and community-centered public awareness.

6.How does the course link with the specific programme(s) where it is being offered?

As an essential component of the first-year foundation curriculum within the Bachelor of Visual Arts program, Environmental Studies–II shifts the student's perspective outward to global and systemic ecological frameworks. It encourages BVA students to critique the social impacts of industrialization and consumerism, directly informing contemporary visual arts practices such as eco-art, community art, and public interventions. It challenges students to implement sustainable strategies and ethical consciousness directly within their emerging creative identities.

Course Description:

Environmental Study–I introduces students to the basic concepts of environment, ecology and sustainability. It explores the relationship between humans, nature and visual arts while encouraging environmentally responsible creative practices through observation, projects and artistic engagement.

Course Objectives:

To introduce the basic concepts of environment and ecology.
To develop awareness of sustainability and resource management.
To encourage environmentally responsible creative practices.
To explore the relationship between art and nature.
To promote critical understanding of contemporary environmental issues.

Course Outcomes: At the end of the course students will be able to:

CO1	Understand basic environmental and ecological concepts.
CO2	Identify environmental issues and sustainable practices.
CO3	Apply environmental awareness in creative work.
CO4	Develop responsible and sustainable artistic approaches.

Modules and Readings

Module 1 (Lecture Hours Weeks 1–5)

Module Name: Biodiversity and Ecosystems

(This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts of environment and ecology. It covers ecosystems, biodiversity, natural resources, and the interdependence between living organisms and their surroundings. Students will explore environmental issues such as pollution, climate change, and conservation through discussions and visual documentation.

Readings with page numbers:

Gadgil, Madhav & Guha, Ramachandra. This Fissured Land.
Odum, Eugene P. Fundamentals of Ecology.
Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring.
Suggested Readings:
Shiva, Vandana. Staying Alive.
Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. & Gupta, S.R. Ecology, Environment and Resource Conservation.

Module 2 (Lecture Hours Weeks 6-11)

Module Name: Conservation, Sustainability and Art

This module focuses on environmental conservation, sustainability, and the role of visual art in promoting ecological awareness. Students will examine issues such as pollution, deforestation, climate change, and sustainable development while exploring how artists respond to environmental concerns through creative practices. The module includes project-based learning and creative interpretation of environmental themes.

Suggested Readings (with page numbers)

Shiva, Vandana. Earth Democracy.

Guha, Ramachandra. Environmentalism: A Global History.

Weintraub, Linda. To Life! Eco Art in Pursuit of a Sustainable Planet.