Course Objectives

The objectives for "Literature and the Environment" are as follows:

	to introduce you to some of the major nature writers and environmental writers in Western literature
	to introduce you to representation of the concept of nature as expressed in the literary arts
	to examine the different (and competing) understandings of and values of nature as expressed in Western literature
	to explore the relationships between humans and the environment as expressed in literature
	to examine and gain appreciation for how writers use language to re/present nature
	to practice "close reading" of literary texts
	to learn to make connections among the texts we are studying
	to understand works in their literary, historical, and cultural contexts
	to learn literary terminology relevant to the discussion of literature
	to introduce you to the conventions for writing about literature
	to practice writing about literature
	to extend the values conveyed in Literature and the Environment beyond the classroom and into your daily lives