Under the patronage of the President of Al-Qadisiyah University, Professor Dr. Rahi Kaleef Mahdi Al-Yasiri, and the supervision of the Dean of the College of Education, Professor Dr. Sattar Hamid Al-Janabi.
As part of the Sustainable Development Week activities, the English Department at the College of Education held a training course on sustainability and climate change in Ian McEwan’s novel “Solar” in light of the thirteenth goal of sustainable development.
The two-day course was presented by Eng. Muhannad Ajil Hadi, in the presence of the Head of the Department, some professors from the English Department, and a number of graduate students from the Linguistics and English Literature departments.
The course introduced the term “climate change,” one of the most prominent contemporary issues preoccupying governments and societies worldwide, due to its direct impact on the future of the planet and humanity. The course also introduced the term “sustainable development,” which has emerged as a fundamental option for achieving a balance between current human needs and preserving the rights of future generations in light of the environmental, economic, and social challenges facing the world today. Sustainable development does not only mean economic growth, but also environmental protection and achieving social justice. English literature has a voice on the issues of climate change and sustainable development, as literary works have always been a mirror of society, reflecting its issues and influencing its culture and orientations. In the modern era, English literature is no longer limited to fictional stories or linguistic aesthetics alone; it has become a powerful means of spreading awareness of global issues, including sustainable development, which relates to environmental protection, achieving social justice, and supporting a sustainable economy. Among these works is the novel “Solar” by British author Ian McEwan, published in 2010. This novel is considered one of the most prominent literary works that addresses the topic of climate change in a satirical and innovative style, blending dark comedy with scientific drama. Through this narrative, McEwan highlights how personal ambitions and selfishness can hinder sustainable development efforts and demonstrates the contradiction between scientific knowledge and human behavior.
The novel highlights that the climate challenge is a global one that requires concerted international and local efforts to achieve sustainable development that preserves the environment and ensures a better future for future generations.
The course concluded with a brief presentation of the aforementioned theories applied to the selected novel.
لا تعليق