Readings

See full schedule for RIF rating and course journal instructions.

Week 1: Finding Nature in Popular Culture

  1. John Storey, “What is Popular Culture?” from An Introduction to Cultural Theory and Popular Culture
  2. Nöel Sturgeon, “The Politics of the Natural in U.S. History and Popular Culture” from Environmentalism and Popular Culture
  3. Jennifer Prince, “Introduction: Price Intro” from Flight Maps
  4. James Kavenaugh, “Ideology”  from Critical Terms for Literary Study
  5. William Cronan, “The Trouble with Wilderness: Getting Back to the Wrong Nature” from Uncommon Ground 

The Prezi (pop culture, tropes) and slides (ideology) from week 1: https://prezi.com/hqimxfay2fzo/untitled-prezi/

2. Week 1 Ideology slides

Week 2: Who is Nature For? Who Belongs in Nature?

  1. Kate Soper, “Naturalized Women and Feminized Nature
  2. Tueday was out of Sturgeon.
  3. Wednesday: Binyavanga Wainaina “How to Write About Africa” How to Write about Africa | Binyavanga Wainaina | Granta Magazine and Eddie Harris, “Solo Faces” from Outside Magazine Solo Faces | Outside Online

Week 3: De-Naturalizing Nature in Popular Culture

  1. Jeffrey Cohen, “Monster Culture (Seven Theses)” [SKIM THIS for Monday, bring with better reading on Tuesday to talk about Splice and “Monstro.”]
  2. Junot Diaz, “Monstro
  3. Susan Davis, “Touch the Magic”DavisTouchMagic

Week 4: De-Naturalizing Nature in Popular Culture

  1. Roger Callois, “Definition of Play” pages 123-128.
  2. Play 30ish minutes (or more ;)) of http://fortmcmoney.com/#/fortmcmoney  [note: some browsers seem better at playing this than others, though it may just be on my computer.]