3 credit(s) Beginning with Franciscan and philosophical perspectives on the natural world, this course moves to a consideration of the important role that wild nature - especially wilderness -has played in American culture, history, and art. Students are introduced to the long tradition of American nature writing, with an emphasis on Thoreau’s Walden. Particular attention is then given to contemporary multicultural voices among environmental writers. The course includes nonfiction prose, poetry, and fiction.