Studies in Literary Theory & Criticism (481-0-20)
Topic
The Environmental Humanities
Instructors
Sarah Beth Dimick
Meeting Info
University Hall 018 English: Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
This graduate seminar explores core concepts, questions, and methodologies within the environmental humanities. Rather than reading literature and literary scholarship in isolation, we will trace their entanglements in environmental history, anthropology, philosophy, geography, and other adjacent disciplines. What, we will ask, are the unique affordances of literary study when confronting environmental questions and challenges? What are the risks and rewards of conducting interdisciplinary environmental research?
The syllabus will be tailored to support the particular interests and pursuits of students in the course, but topics may include climate writing, environmental justice literature, environmental racism, global and local scales, militarized and nuclear environments, and queer ecologies. Collectively, the readings will ensure familiarity with classic texts in the environmental humanities and introduce students to the cutting edges of this wide-ranging field.
Teaching Method
Discussion-based seminar.
Evaluation Method
Conference abstract, paper, presentations, and participation in discussions.
Class Materials (Required)
Assigned texts will likely include scholarship by Lawrence Buell, Ursula Heise, Rob Nixon, Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, Anna Tsing, and Kyle Powys Whyte. Primary materials will include works by Rachel Carson, Jamaica Kincaid, Imbolo Mbue, Arundhati Roy, Indra Sinha, and Karen Tei Yamashita.