Extreme Landscapes of the Anthropocene
SISP 204
Spring 2020
| Section:
01
|
| Crosslisting:
WRCT 204, ENVS 204, ANTH 204 |
The "Anthropocene," a term coined to categorize the current geological epoch, has become a way in which social scientists can critically and creatively engage with the impact of humanity on the ecological well-being of the Earth. The interdisciplinary and uncertain nature of this subject matter provides space for experimental writing styles, innovative approaches to storytelling, and critical discussion and debate. This course is designed to explore and challenge the term "Anthropocene," questioning how narrative and drama are entangled in the dissemination of complex truths, for better or worse.
In this course, we will consider texts, short films, and other mixed media that investigate the everydayness of extreme landscapes, from "capitalist ruins" to the depleting seas. We will dive into the social, political, economic, and scientific power-scapes that influence narratives about the environment, from late liberal ideology to corporate influence on science and the news. Through the course materials and activities, we will question how to communicate complex information with a broad range of people, particularly surrounding issues of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. Each student will build their own writing portfolio of short essays for specific audiences. The class will collectively build and design a storytelling website where they can share their work. Students are encouraged to apply an ethics of care and the art of "non-judgmental attention" to their critical engagement with the Anthropocene. |
|
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS SISP |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: (ANTH)(ENVS-MN)(ENVS) |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Possible Key Texts:
Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez
How Forests Think, Eduardo Kohn
The Mushroom at the End of the World, Anna Tsing
Geontologies: A Requiem to Late Liberalism, Elizabeth Provinelli
Making Kin in the Chthulucene, Donna Haraway
|
Examinations and Assignments:
This writing-intensive course involves reading several full-length ethnographic-style books, short texts available on Moodle, watching several docu-fiction films, group projects, and several writing assignments, including a final writing project. |
| Instructor(s): Bird,Tess Times: ..T.R.. 08:50AM-10:10AM; Location: ALLB304; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 8 | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: 9 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 0 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 2 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
|
|