PHIL 314 - American Wilderness Philosophy

Description:
An exploration of the wilderness tradition in American philosophy. Topics include the value of wilderness areas, outdoor recreation, hunting, and fishing; back to the land movements; and current proposals to “rewild” built environments. Course will be offered on odd numbered years (Spring).

Credits: (5)

Learner Outcomes, Activities and Assessments

Learner Outcome	Activity (optional)	Assessment
Identify various themes and focuses in wilderness thinking (conservation, preservation, re-wilding, etc).	Students will complete weekly explanatory papers on assigned readings.	Graded weekly writing assignments.
Identify contemporary environmental issues to which wilderness philosophy is particularly relevant.	Students will review relevant literature and complete a topic selection worksheet.	Topic selection worksheet evaluated by faculty in consultation with student.
Apply themes from wilderness philosophy and writings to contemporary environmental issues.	Through in-class discussion and written work students will apply course readings to a novel, contemporary issues.	Graded research paper, peer review of in-class presentations.
Evaluate the ability of wilderness philosophy to contribute to contemporary environmental issues.	Having identified an issue and applied course readings to that issue, students will evaluate whether wilderness philosophy provides realistic solutions to that issue.	Graded research paper, peer review of in-class presentations.
Distinguish wilderness philosophy from broader environmental movements.	Students will complete weekly explanatory papers on assigned readings and, through in-class discussion, compare those readings with other approaches to similar issues.	Graded writing assignmnents and midterm essay.