Becoming an Ecological Citizen: The Concept of an Ecological Citizen in the movie Avatar

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24424

Keywords:

ecological citizenship, environment, Avatar, participation, responsibility

Abstract

Avatar intricately intertwines ecological resistance and citizenship themes on Pandora, presenting a rich avenue for ecological scholarship. Despite its cinematic prowess, there is a research gap in understanding the film's impact on ecological consciousness. This paper aims to explore Avatar within the context of environmental cinema, analyzing its portrayal of ecological themes. Recent trends in film studies demonstrate a growing interest in such intersections, making Avatar a pertinent subject for investigation. Experts like Levinas, Dobson, and Rousseau are selected for their profound insights into ethics, environmental citizenship, and the human-nature relationship, offering relevant, authoritative, and influential perspectives that align with the research goals. By examining existing literature on the urgency of ecological awareness and critical reviews, the paper aims to uncover the film's influence on ecological attitudes. The implications extend to environmental advocacy and education, emphasizing the potential of popular media, like Avatar, to shape attitudes toward sustainable coexistence and ecological citizenship. Integrating Avatar into educational curricula has the potential to enhance environmental literacy among students, fostering a deeper understanding of ecological issues and inspiring proactive engagement. By leveraging the film's themes of interconnectedness and ecological stewardship, educators can instill values of environmental responsibility and citizenship in future generations.

Author Biographies

  • Amar Bahadur Sherma, The University of Texas at Arlington, Texas, U.S.A

    Amar Bahadur Sherma is pursuing a Ph.D. in English at The University of Texas at Arlington, U.S. He also writes and edits school-level English textbooks for Nepal. He has published some of his papers in peer-reviewed journals, and some are still under review. His research interests include rhetoric, gender studies, refugee, migration, critical theories, ecology, technical writing, etc. He is also on the editorial board of three Journals of the Arts.

  • Alok Lamsal, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

    Alok Lamsal is an M.Phil. graduate of Pokhara University, Nepal. He is also a creative director/scriptwriter at The Poet Idol, which is telecast in Nepal's AP1HD. Besides, he serves as an editor, lecturer, and YouTuber. His research areas are in media, democracy, law, technical writing, gender, refugee, etc. (ORCiD: 0009-0004-6870-3981)

  • Devi Prasad Pokharel, Pokhara University, Nepal

    Devendra Pokharel is an M.Phil. graduate at Pokhara University, Nepal. He works as a Corporate Lawyer and a Finance Manager at Agricultural Development Bank Limited. Besides, he works as a part-time lecturer and writes articles for newspapers.

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Published

06-04-2024

Issue

Section

Literature Review

How to Cite

Sherma, A. B., Lamsal, A., & Pokharel, D. P. (2024). Becoming an Ecological Citizen: The Concept of an Ecological Citizen in the movie Avatar. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 4(2), 62-77. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24424

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