Jonathan Hodgers
Dr Jonathan Hodgers has been lecturing in Trinity for over a decade in the School of Creative Arts’ discipline of Music, delivering modules with a socio-historic emphasis. He is big on Bob Dylan and blues, folk and rock genres. Recently, he has started integrating climate into one of his modules for senior sophisters.
He appeared on our radar after we heard he was integrating climate and music as a module for senior sophisters. The module talks about how the music industry is responding to climate change – green initiatives at festivals and sustainable touring for example. The students go into musical responses to climate change over the years and the music industry’s carbon footprint.-300X400.jpeg)
Students seem to like the module because it is current and relevant, and feel it is an important topic to understand better. In his module they talk about how musicology, music technology and composition all facilitate climate consciousness. His lectures have led to students coming up with creative solutions as a response to learning how music listening affects climate change, like streaming often being less eco-friendly than physical media like records.
We asked what the motivation behind this module was – and he says it was his own curiosity that led here. He wanted to know more about the topic and then searched for an overlap between his interests and those of the students. He adds “to me, understanding climate change is a valuable knowledge base students can use across various parts of their lives. I was eager to offer them a structured, supportive space to explore the subject, as well as give them a foundation they could potentially build on after university.”
Jonathan has a few tips for others thinking of integrating climate into their modules. He says in his experience, starting with something relevant to the students’ lives is a good approach. “Draw connections and identify touchpoints with what attracts them to the subject. Incorporate examples, projects, or case studies that align with what students find meaningful within the discipline” he adds. He says that if your field is not typically associated with climate, it might be an opportunity to address any scepticism about its relevance. Jonathan found it useful to highlight how engaging with climate issues can enhance career prospects.
Climate change, as we all know, can be overwhelming to think about and act on. It feels abstract as well, not in-your-face daily, but certainly a reality to contend with. They look at music that makes this reality relatable and emotionally resonant, which can be quite impactful.
Thanks to Dr Jonathan Hodgers for taking the time to share with us!