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.

Full course
Liberal Studies Curriculum: Artistic Experience