In the seminar portion of the program we will examine three books:
Forsyth, A., and K. Miyata. 1984. Tropical Nature. Touchstone, New York, New York. ISBN 0-684-18710-8.
Soule, M. E., and G. Lease, ed. 1995. Reinventing Nature? Responses to Postmodern Deconstruction. Island Press, Washington, D.C. ISBN 1-55963-311-5.
Terborgh, J. 1999. Requiem for Nature. Island Press, Washington, D.C. ISBN 1-55963-587-8.
The first one, Forsyth and Miyata's Tropical Nature, will get us started. This is an example of natural history writing that attempts to convey some of the sensations one feels in tropical rainforests, as well as some of the scientific issues that the tropics have inspired. The next two, an edited volume by Soule and Lease, and John Terborgh's Requiem for Nature, will introduce us to ideological controversies involving conservation biology, from the point of view of traditional scientific conservationists who view these ideological changes as a major threat to global biodiversity.
At the end of each seminar period the two seminar groups will meet together to summarize some of the key discussion points, and to agree upon an essay question or topic. During the following week, each student will address the question or topic in a short essay (1-page maximum), due at the beginning of the next week's seminar. Your essay must be typed. Susan and I will read and edit these essays.
John T. Longino, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. longinoj@evergreen.edu
Susan Aurand, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505 USA. aurands@evergreen.edu
Last modified: 31 December 1999