2135 - Writing Into Nature

Delivery Options IN-CLASS

Course Description

Writing about nature, in any genre, involves deep engagement with our relationship with what Scott Russell Sanders calls "the great realities": seasons, landscapes, animals, and cosmos. Writers focusing on nature are motivated by many personal, political, and aesthetic interests. This course will consider different approaches to nature writing and how to avoid clichés. We will also explore our responsibility as writers (and humans) to nature, particularly in the post-colonial context and under the pressing urgency of climate change. The class will consist of meaningful discussion, close readings, self-guided nature walks/observations, and workshopping.

Learning Outcomes

Gain a deeper understanding of our responsibility to and relationship with nature, and how it impacts our writing.
Study nature writers from a variety of genres and approaches to further develop our writing styles.
Develop our observational skills through the practice of nature journaling.
Workshop our writing in a supportive environment with fellow writers who also share a reverence for nature.
Work on a piece of nature writing in any genre, with the intention of completing it by the end of the course.

Prerequisites

None

Recommendations

None

This course may be applied towards the SCS Certificate(s) in

Creative Writing : Elective Courses

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2135 - 005

Spring/Summer - 26

IN-CLASS

Available

In-Class

1:00PM to 3:30PM

Jul 08, 2026 to Aug 26, 2026

Schedule and Location

View Details

20.0

St. George Campus

IN-CLASS

Flat Fee non-credit

$699.00

Section Notes

This in-class course uses Quercus (UofT Learning Management Engine) to post course materials.

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