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Course Offerings

Course Details

Fall 2012-2013
* ENG 386 / ENV 386 (LA)   No Audit

Literature and Environment

Kenneth C. Hiltner

Deforestation, air pollution, urban sprawl, endangered species, watershed loss, animal rights, rampant consumerism, and similar issues have been appearing as controversial in Western literature for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years. Consequently, if we wish to better understand our contemporary attitude toward the environment and how it emerged (the goal of this course), its literary history is an excellent place to start. Starting with one of the West's earliest texts, iThe Epic of Gilgamesh and ending with Rachel Carson and Michael Pollan, this course explores the history of our relationship with our planet.

Sample reading list:
Unknown, The Epic of Gilgamesh (selections)
Virgil, Eclogues (selections)
Shakespeare, As You Like It
Henry David Thoreau, Walden (selections)
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring (selections)
Michael Pollan, Second Nature (selections)
See instructor for complete list

Reading/Writing assignments:
150-200 pp. of reading per week. Two course papers, plus occasional brief assignments.

Requirements/Grading:
Paper in Lieu of Mid Term - 30%
Paper in lieu of Final - 30%
Papers - 30%
Class/Precept Participation - 10%

Other information:
Department Distribution: Theory/Criticism

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
23154 S01 1:30 pm - 2:50 pm M W   Wallace Social Science   004   Enrolled:12 Limit:20