Poetics and Practice: Engaging Complexity in the Age of Climate Change Climate change. Race. Technology. Story. In this course, we will engage academia, the arts, and activism to explore the nature of climate change and its impacts, how we show up in this moment, and how “difference” informs our choices. What is our emotional relationship to change and why does that matter? How do we consider different entry points based on experience, identity, and understanding? How do we lean into the complexity (whether talking about identity, technology, or the environment) and move from personal practice to a collective practice? We will explore diverse ideas from artists, activists, writers and thinkers including Ava DuVarney, Robert Sapolsky, and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson through lectures, dialogue, writing and story-making. Come ready to play!

The N Word: Nature, Revisited What do voices from American History, both past and present, reveal about the way race, and privilege shape how we understand conservation, climate change and environmental justice today? How does your voice matter in this current moment? We will consider the foundations of environmental ideas and attitudes. In particular, in this current climate where Black Lives Matter and systemic racism are central in our conversations about place and space, we will explore the construction of environmental narratives and how race impacts environmental participation. In addition, we will explore how representations of the natural environment are structurally and culturally racialized within environmental institutions and the media by engaging in “conversations” with environmental icons such as John Muir and other historical and contemporary figures such as Zora Neale Hurston and  James Baldwin.

Carolyn Finney

Reviews and ratings for Carolyn Finney at Middlebury College.Carolyn Finney teaches Poetics&PracticeClimate Change, The N Word: Nature, Revisited and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Carolyn Finney good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Fascinating class. Definitely weird and radical but the reading where always thought provoking. oftentimes finney would talk for a really long time and take away from the group discussion but its only because she is so passionate about the work. 

My favorite part about this class was having constant guest speakers. I really loved how Finney didn't hesitate to platform other speakers and folks we generally wouldn't have heard from in the classroom. Only take this class if you're willing to discuss vulnerable topics and share your opinions and feelings. It's a great way to investigate yourself in the context of the climate crisis. 

Prof Finney is genuinely one of the most fun professors at Middlebury. She is so caring and understanding of her students, and she values the conversations everyone brings to the class. Every week, she brings in a guest speaker who is either directly involved in environmental work or indirectly involved but still mixed into it! 