Course Description

This course will explore how nature and humans’ changing relationship to the natural environment have been depicted in American popular culture and literature. Nature has always played important roles in American arts and literary imagination since the colonial period. However, with the rise of environmental movement, profound shifts in perception of nature and environment have occurred. American culture has reflected the concerns over environmental issues and their impact on human population. Students are expected not only to undertake extensive research about representations of environment, but also to make comparisons with Japanese (literature, Studio Ghibli works) and other cultures. Students are also expected to participate actively in group discussions, workshops, individual and group presentations.