American Environmental Literature:  What are Trees Telling Us?

This course will explore conceptions of nature--and the social, biological, and climatological implications-- through examination of literature with an emphasis on sustainability.  The thematic emphasis of this course will be on trees.

Two critical essays/class presentations, a midterm, and a portfolio; various short writing assignments.

Regular attendance is expected and poor attendance will adversely affect your grade.

This list is still evolving, or stay tuned.

Bartram, selections from The Travels of William Bartram

Thoreau, Walden**, "Walking," selections from The Maine Woods, Cape Cod, and other essays.

Emerson, selected essays

Whitman, selected poems

Dickinson, select poems

Muir, selections from A Thousand Mile Walk and The Yosemite

Leopold, A Sand County Almanac**

Carson,  selections from Silent Spring

Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek**

Berry, selected essays

Wilson,  selections from The Future of Life,  selections from Biophilia

Ray, Janisse Ecology of a Cracker Childhood**

Haskell,  The Forest Unseen and the Songs of Trees**

Powers,  The Overstory**

**Note: you are welcome to get electronic or paper versions.  All of the shorter works will be delivered electronically.

No late work will be accepted unless previously approved by the instructor.