Wonders of Nature: Further Explorations

From the urban to the wild, the formative to the current, the micro to the macro, this course will provide you with the opportunity to craft your personal encounters with nature, via poetry and prose, fiction and autobiography.

This course uses the medium of creative writing to explore and depict our relationship with the natural world in a warm, supportive and stimulating environment for writers of all experiences.

It acts as a sequel to Wonders of Nature but can easily be studied as a standalone option. This course, like its predecessor, is intended to nurture your curiosity and capture wonder.

Learning and teaching

The module will be delivered through ten 2-hour workshops, made up of class discussions, small group work, and feeding back. Class sessions will be supplemented by resources available to students via Learning Central.

Syllabus content

Areas for exploration are likely to include:

• Writing through the senses
• Childhood experiences of nature
• Urban encounters with nature
• Venturing into the wilderness
• Keeping a nature diary
• A tradition of walking and writing
• Nature during lockdown
• Nature and healing

Coursework and assessment

To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved.

Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.

The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning.

Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.

For the assessment, you will produce a portfolio of script, including a reflective component. Portfolios will be in the region of 1,500 to 2,000 words.

Reading suggestions

The tutor will provide further reading suggestions.

Library and computing facilities

As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.

Accessibility

Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.