FWS: Writing About National Parks

3.0 credits · Undergraduate

For centuries, people have revered the places known as Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. Artists, intellectuals, and nature lovers have devoted books, brochures, and picture essays to the natural splendor, biodiversity, and history of these places. In this course, we will read a variety of essays, books, and stories about Yosemite and Yellowstone to become familiar with different writing traditions about place and nature. We will learn about the Indigenous history, settler colonialism, and conservationist efforts in Yosemite and Yellowstone by reading historical monographs, fiction, long-form journalism, and primary sources. To improve your writing and reading skills, you will make several attempts at different genres of writing about nature and the environment.