ENGL 477

Fall 2025 Part of Term 1

Part of Term 1
Aug 25-Dec 10

Advanced Environmental Writing

SHOW FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

Credit: 3 hours.

Introduces students to the challenges of "turning data into narrative." With a focus on students' professional development as writers, this course emphasizes the research and rhetorical skills required to communicate current scientific research in earth and environmental science through non-fiction narrative forms--the investigative essay, long-form journalism, personal memoir, and op-ed--aimed at a general audience.

Same as ESE 477. 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit.

This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Fall 2022 for:

Advanced Composition

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ENGL 477 class schedule data for fall 2025
	CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
	69327	Lecture-Discussion	P	2:00PM -3:15PM	TR	36 English Building	Wood, G	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/25/25-12/10/25 Degree Notes: Advanced Composition course. Section Info: FA25 ENGL / ESE 477 - Advanced Environmental Writing - Gillen D'Arcy Wood - At a time when climate change, toxic contamination of earth, air, and sky, and resource scarcity threaten human communities worldwide, sustainability communication has emerged as a vital and growing career field. In 477, students learn how to write with impact about environmental issues as career preparation in science and nature journalism, and/or sustainability advocacy and management. We study the work of the most prominent environmental writers today—including David Quammen, Elizabeth Kolbert, and Charles Mann—and develop practical skills in all writing formats, from news brief, to op-ed, to magazine feature article. With an emphasis on connecting our personal lives and campus life to global environmental problems, 477 helps students build the research and writing skills they will need as career advocates for environmental sustainability. The course is structured around a graduated succession of writing assignments from short-form pieces focused on clear delivery of facts and information, to opinion pieces devoted to argument, to long-form, research driven essays with a sophisticated narrative arc. The design of the assignments is to build students’ confidence in, and sense of responsibility for, developing a writing idea from first inspiration through to polished final product. Classroom activities will promote learning through active engagement with readings and the work of classmates, as well as a variety of in-class writing exercises. The classroom environment will emphasize collaboration, discussion, and instructor and peer feedback on student writing.