Speaking in Place:
The Environmental Language of Here and
Now
Instructor: Rachael Button
Office: Landscape Architecture Room 5
Office Hours: Before or after class, by appointment
Email: rbutton@iastate.edu
“An argument can be made that environmental writing is America’s most distinctive contribution to the world’s literature . . . . Other cultures are older and perhaps therefore more subtle in their observation of the endlessly fascinating dance of human beings. But only on this continent was Culture fully conscious while Economy went about the business of knocking down Nature.”
-from the “Introduction,” by Bill McKibben, in American Earth
Course Description:
The American landscape has long played a role in American literature. This course will explore how writers both reflect and construct “place” in their texts. Students will encounter readings by a diverse group of writers including Henry David Thoreau, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and Annie Dillard.
This course will not only require analysis of American environmental literature—it will also push students to use those same analytical skills to examine their own ideas about environment, landscape, and home. Students will work in written, oral, visual, and electronic mediums to synthesize their understanding of “place” in a multi-modal way. Work will include two formal essays, a visual photo project, a research project/presentation, and regular journaling/blogging.
Texts
American Earth, edited by Bill McKibben
Blood Dazzler, by Patricia Smith
The Aims of Argument
Student Guide, ISU Foundation Courses
The Brief Penguin Handbook
Note: Reading well requires a great deal of work and attention: it demands self-reflection, as well as a knowledge of forms and genres of literature and a familiarity with some of the historical, political, and social concerns that underlie texts. Reading in an analytical way not only entails understanding a text but considering it, digesting it, breaking it down, and wrestling with its implications. In this course, I expect you to not just skim through the readings but to consider what the writer is saying and how he or she is conveying his/her message on a craft level. I also expect you to think about how the readings impact, support, or contradict your own perceptions of the environment. For that reason it is essential that you spend time with each of the readings and come to class prepared to write about and discuss each assignment.
Assignments:
-Visual Analysis 25%
-Rhetorical Analysis 25%
-Participation 10%
-Photo Project 10%
-Casey Land Research Project/Presentation 20%
-Creative Portfolio 10%
All work completed outside of class should be typed. Make sure you have a backup copy of all work before you turn it in to be graded. Major essays will be penalized one letter grade (e.g., from B to C) for each class period they are late.
Class Attendance and Participation/ Etc.
To ensure that you stay on track with your attendance and submission of work, the following policies, developed by the Director of ISUComm Foundation Communication, will be enforced in sections of English 250:
• Missing more than three classes will lower your grade, and excessive absences (more than three weeks) will result in a failing grade for the course.
o Specifically, absences after four will reduce your class grade by one step (a B+ becomes a B; a C becomes a C-), and after a total of nine absences, you must drop the course or you will receive an F.
• Even with a valid reason to miss, you can accumulate so many absences in a semester that your work and classroom experience are too compromised for you to remain in the class. The Director of ISUComm Foundation Courses and your instructor will advise you if your absences—regardless of their reason—are too numerous for you to remain in English 250 or whether you need to drop the class and take it in a semester when your schedule permits regular attendance. If you are more than 15 minutes late to class, you will be counted absent.
• Missing during group work or on the day of your oral presentation means taking an F for that activity, as it cannot be made up individually.
Notes
• It is essential that you attend the Casey Land Field trip, if you are not able to attend the field trip, you cannot be in this course.
• Check your E-mail and the class blog! If I need to make changes to the class location or schedule I will do so via the blog or e-mail.
• Check the course blog. I will update it regularly.
• I often use my office hours to make copies or use the computer lab—so I appreciate it if you let me know if you’re dropping by—shoot me a quick e-mail or let me know before/after class. If you cannot make it in during my office hours I’m usually willing to arrange an alternative time.
Grading and Evaluation
In English 250, as in other university courses, the work required of you at the university will often be different in type and level of difficulty from what you did in high school. Be realistic in your expectations about grades; start assignments early, work steadily to avoid last-minute rushing. Make an appointment with me if you do not understand an assignment’s grade.
A The qualities of a B assignment, plus imagination, originality, and engaging expression.
B Thorough analysis of the communication problem; a satisfactory solution to the problem, judgment and tact in the presentation of this solution; good organization and solid expression.
C Satisfactory analysis of the problem, clear organization, and competent style; nothing remarkably good or bad. A C means your work met the demands of the assignment in a minimally acceptable way.
D Presence of a significant defect in context, substance, organization, style, or delivery in a lackluster paper; inadequate treatment of the assignment.
F Inadequate coverage of essential points, uncertain or misguided purpose, poor organization; ineffective and inconsistent expression; significant defects in standard usage.
Academic Honesty:
Read thoroughly all of the material covered in your Student Guide: English 150–250, including the section regarding ethics and plagiarism in the academy. Understanding what constitutes plagiarism and academic dishonesty will help prevent you from committing these acts inadvertently and will strengthen your writing. Plagiarism is a serious legal and ethical breach, and it is treated as such by the university. Detecting plagiarism in English 150 and 250 is often fairly easy for an instructor who is familiar with your work, and once detected, it is mandatory that the Director of Foundation Communication be notified and consulted about consequences. If you have any questions about using work other than your own in your paper, see your instructor before you turn in an assignment.
Computer Ethics:
Please check the Student Guide: English 150–250 for information on the university's computer ethics policy. You are expected to use the university computers responsibly and to communicate courteously with others in your class—including the instructor—electronically. You are also expected to follow your instructor’s instructions on class days in the lab, using the computers for class-related activity only.
Diversity Affirmation:
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, or disability. An effective learning environment values and supports diversity.
An effective learning environment values and supports diversity. No disrespect will be tolerated. Any discriminatory remarks or disrespectful behavior will result in dismissal from the classroom which will be counted as an absence.
Disability Accommodation:
If you have a disability and require accommodations, you must contact your instructor early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Resources (DR) office, main floor of the Students Services Building, Room 1076, 515-294-7220 515-294-7220 .
