History of Environmentalism: Reading Silent Spring
We'll read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring chapter by chapter, explore historical influences and context, analyze the author's style and argument, and discuss what we learn along the way.
Tara Swoboda, MA, RYT
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(47)
What's included
8 live meetings
8 in-class hoursClass Experience
Students across the nation are witnessing and participating in an environmental movement, but this isn’t the first time the environment has come to the forefront of social and political stages in the US. In this class, we’ll read Rachel Carson’s ground-breaking work Silent Spring, the book widely credited for spurring the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Students will learn the historical context behind the environmental movement in the US through reading and small group discussions. Carson’s book is broken into short, focused chapters. The first class session will provide an introduction and background for students to understand what led to the writing of this book. From there, students can expect to read approximately 80 pages per week as we explore the book chapter by chapter. Weekly notes will be provided by the instructor to guide student reading and offer historical context. This class is intended for learners who are: - Curious about the history of the environmental movement. - Interested in exploring nature writing or non-fiction genres. - Intrigued by interdisciplinary study (or want to learn what that is!).
Learning Goals
This course blends reading analysis with understanding nature and history. Learners will:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of Silent Spring through close-reading and group discussion.
- Identify and describe major aspects of the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
- Understand and articulate the differences between fictional literature and non-fiction genres.
- Analyze narrative style and explain what makes for credible evidence in an argument.
Other Details
Supply List
Students should purchase or obtain from the library: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (ISBN 0-395-68329-7) *Highly recommend obtaining the 1994 edition with an introduction by Vice President Al Gore. *Student choice: If you prefer audiobooks, or wish to try an audiobook for the first time, you are welcome to substitute the printed or electronic version of this book. As long as you learn the material and come prepared for discussion, your choice is welcome! Links for current news articles and related readings will be provided by the instructor. Weekly notes will be provided by the instructor to guide student reading and discussion.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined September, 2019
5.0
47reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I love reading! Whether you're a fellow bookworm or a hesitant reader, my classroom is a welcome space to explore literature without expectation or judgement. There are no tests or quizzes in my courses -- I even hand you notes with what to watch for as you read! Flipping the reading process and telling readers which ideas to be on the lookout for makes it easy for learners to focus their reading. Students will complete the course feeling confident in their understanding of the book and able to explain how it relates to the environmental movement taking place today. I always offer additional suggested reading for students who want to continue exploring the subject further, too.
I hold a Master of Arts in English Literature and a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature. Although originally an architecture major, I embraced my inner lit nerd while studying at UC Berkeley, where my favorite classes were small, discussion-based literature courses. I loved the endless options for studying different authors, time periods, genres, and literary canons, and found myself with a minor in Russian Literature just for the fun of it, too.
I originally learned about Silent Spring when I was a high school student taking Advanced Placement (AP) US History. I read it then and it helped me to gain a stronger understanding of the content in my APUSH class. Now I'm a high school counselor, and I continue watching students in APUSH learn about the impact of this book. Those who decide to pick it up often walk away with a much deeper understanding of the time in which it was written, and I'm excited to bring that further understanding to our classroom here.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$96
for 8 classes2x per week, 4 weeks
60 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
3-12 learners per class
