Course Essentials

Readings from and writing in creative or literary nonfiction, with a close thematic tie to nature writing. Attention to the history and development of the genre and its subdivisions and to the markets for its manuscripts.

This course will introduce you to a wide range of nonfiction styles and prepare you to analyze, emulate, and create your own texts. Part discussion group, part creative writing workshop, this course aims to create a supportive writing community which will serve as the foundation for your future writing life. Additionally, you will learn the basics of the publishing industry in order to prepare for publication.

Course texts are available at the university bookstore. If you purchase outside of the bookstore, be sure to pay attention to the edition (and ISBN#) as indicated at the links below, as page numbers should be uniform in class discussion:

H Is For Hawk by Helen MacDonald

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil