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.

Various short writing assignments, two critical essays, a midterm and a final.

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

This list is still evolving, so stay tuned.

Bartram, selections from The Travels of William Bartram

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

Emerson, selected essays

Muir, selections from The Yosemite

Leopold, A Sand County Almanac**

Stone, "Should Trees have Standing"

Dillard, selections from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek**

Berry, selected essays

Ray,  Ecology of a Cracker Childhood**

Haskell,  selections from 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.