MJD 303 - Nature and Outdoor Writing

This is a course that combines two central elements: (1) reading and discussing provocative examples of nature writing to see how the authors craft their nonfiction stories and communicate their fascination with the outdoors. The goal here is simple: to learn about strategies for writing creative nonfiction by analyzing great examples of it; and (2) to develop skills in writing feature-length articles about the outdoors and the natural world—cultivating a story idea, training your powers of observation, conducting research that enhances your writing, the draft and revision process. Along the way, we’ll be exploring related topics: humans’ relationships to the natural world, environmental and conservation issues, the status of recreation in the outdoors, and the natural history of the creatures and landscapes that surround us.

Credits: 4

Prerequisites/Restrictions: Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors only

LSC/Core: Artistic Experience/ Literature & The Arts