About

The term “Anthropocene” is a proposed new name for our current geological epoch, to come after what is currently called the Holocene. While still unofficial, the term has sparked a massive movement in the social sciences, arts, and humanities that critically and creatively explores the impact of humanity on the ecological wellbeing of the Earth. The interdisciplinary and uncertain nature of this subject provides space for experimental writing styles, innovative approaches to storytelling, and critical discussion and debate.

Dr. Tess Bird, an anthropologist and Mellon Fellow in Writing in the Social Sciences at Wesleyan University, created a writing-intensive course called ‘Extreme Landscapes of the Anthropocene’ to explore some of these themes. Our course focuses on deconstructing common ‘narratives of progress’ in favor of more collaborative narratives of survival in relation to climate change uncertainty. Students are asked to write to a specific audience with each assignment, write around 1,000 words, and critically think about writing as both an academic and public endeavor. We work with the senses and ‘other ways of knowing’ beyond intellectual knowledge.

As part of the course, the students post two selections from their portfolios to this blog and upload a final extended essay to their own individual page.

Final Landscape Essays: view.

Writing Types: Op-Eds | Podcasts | Personal Reflections

We also have some posts for kids, teachers, and parents, including two podcasts, a story book, and an Anthropocene lesson plan!