FYSP 159 - Back to the Land

FC ARHU WINT

4 credits
Many of us feel emotionally, spiritually and practically disconnected from the land-and waters-that surround and sustain us. But what can we do about it? What does it actually mean to get back in touch with nature? Can you help save the earth by leaving society behind? In this seminar, students will be urged to question simplistic narratives about ‘the simple life’ by studying a range of life-reform experiments undertaken since the Industrial Revolution. By eavesdropping on debates among seed keepers, lesbian separatists, Polynesian navigators, Earthship builders, and proto-Nazi nudists (among many others) we hope to get some perspective on contemporary conversations about ecology, identity, culture, and modernity. Off-campus field trips required.