Popularizing Ecocriticism: A Study on Environmental Awareness among English Discipline Students at Khulna University
- 1Khulna University
Abstract
As global ecological crises increase, the role of literary studies in promoting environmental consciousness has garnered growing academic interest. Ecocriticism, a branch of literary criticism, helps learners analyze literature from the perspective of environmental issues. At Khulna University, students of the English Discipline show a strong appreciation for nature and an interest in preserving biodiversity. This study explores how ecocriticism can be used to enhance environmental awareness among these students. The aim of this study is to motivate students to engage with ecocriticism and to study literature in terms of environmental awareness. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. It included workshops, surveys, field visits, and focus group discussions. More than one hundred students and several faculty members of the English Discipline participated enthusiastically in the workshops. They watched video clips related to environmental disasters and struggles of the coastal people who are vulnerable to many environmental threats. The findings confirm a significant increase in students’ understanding of environmental issues, their enthusiasm to apply ecocritical frameworks in both academic and activist contexts, and their willingness to engage in sustainable practices. Thus, this study highlights the potential of literature as a transformative tool in promoting environmental responsibility within academic institutions.
Related
- Beyond Awareness: The Role of Environmental Literacy in Sustainable Fashion Behaviour Among Forestry Students
- Guidance and Counseling in Promoting Constructive Discipline and Improving Academic Performance Among Grade 5 Learners
- Gaps in knowledge and awareness of microplastic exposure among pregnant women in South India: implications for maternal and fetal health
- Challenges in nuclear emergency preparedness: pharmacists’ awareness, knowledge, and willingness to participate in the emergency distribution of stable iodine in Japan
- From Climate Risk Awareness to Climate-Conscious Investment Behavior: the roles of climate disclosure quality, trust, and greenwashing risk
BibTeX
@article{neloy2026popularizing,
title = {{Popularizing Ecocriticism: A Study on Environmental Awareness among English Discipline Students at Khulna University}},
author = {Nowshad Hasan Neloy and Abdur Rahman Shahin},
journal = {Journal of Environmental and Science Education},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.15294/jese.v5i2.30654},
url = {https://doi.org/10.15294/jese.v5i2.30654},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Popularizing Ecocriticism: A Study on Environmental Awareness among English Discipline Students at Khulna University
AU - Nowshad Hasan Neloy
AU - Abdur Rahman Shahin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Journal of Environmental and Science Education
DO - 10.15294/jese.v5i2.30654
UR - https://doi.org/10.15294/jese.v5i2.30654
AB - As global ecological crises increase, the role of literary studies in promoting environmental consciousness has garnered growing academic interest. Ecocriticism, a branch of literary criticism, helps learners analyze literature from the perspective of environmental issues. At Khulna University, students of the English Discipline show a strong appreciation for nature and an interest in preserving biodiversity. This study explores how ecocriticism can be used to enhance environmental awareness among these students. The aim of this study is to motivate students to engage with ecocriticism and to study literature in terms of environmental awareness. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. It included workshops, surveys, field visits, and focus group discussions. More than one hundred students and several faculty members of the English Discipline participated enthusiastically in the workshops. They watched video clips related to environmental disasters and struggles of the coastal people who are vulnerable to many environmental threats. The findings confirm a significant increase in students’ understanding of environmental issues, their enthusiasm to apply ecocritical frameworks in both academic and activist contexts, and their willingness to engage in sustainable practices. Thus, this study highlights the potential of literature as a transformative tool in promoting environmental responsibility within academic institutions.
SN - 2797-0175
SN - 2775-2518
ER -