EN 9917 - Wilderness & Am Imagination

Ever wondered why today’s car commercials show vehicles romping in the wilderness? A theme throughout American life and literature concerns the supreme importance of land in general and the wilderness in particular. From the start, people have had designs upon “this incomparable land.” To be American is to be invested in the spirit of the wilderness; it permeates our very souls. Examining authors ranging from Captain John Smith to Bill Bryson, Lewis and Clark to Terry Tempest Williams, this course explores environment and ethos, borders and identity, so that we may understand why as John Muir phrases it, “Wilderness is a necessity.” 3 hours Lecture and Discussion - 3 credits This course can be substituted for EN 2028 Introduction to Literature.

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