ENG 269 - Environmental Literature

Lecture Hours: 4
Credit Hours: 4

Introduces students to environmental literature, which addresses the relationship between human beings and the natural world, as well as the place of human beings in the natural world. Includes a focus on not only human interaction with pristine wilderness, but also with cityscapes and toxic environments. Uses chronological, regional, or thematic approaches to current issues in the field. Introduces ecocriticism as an interpretive tool that includes attention to issues of environmental justice. Explores the link between environmental problems and economic and social justices. Uses critical reading, field trips, discussion, reflective writing, and critical writing in order to explore how our understanding of the natural environment has been socially constructed and how these constructions both benefit and burden particular groups. Explores the relationship between literature and social action.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 121; or completion of WR 115 (or higher,) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.