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.

This class was very unique, intersecting both black studies and environmental studies. All classes were very discussion based, and only had a few short readings each week. You also have a final project that is very open ending about your personal connection with nature + reflection on the course. 

This course was extremely stimulating and thought provoking. It taught me to look at the world from a different perspective and it invited different ideas and opinions to be shared. Carolyn was a fantastic instructor for this course and it really was a pleasure to be a part of this class. 

Dr. Carolyn is an incredibly passionate teacher and share a lot of wisdom during every class. She will not shy away from any content and it is all very relevant and interesting. I highly recommend this class. 