10/28/2024
For Spring 2025, we have a lot of interesting courses, including this one: ENGH482 - Community and Public Writing.
Taught by Professor Michelle LaFrance, this class will be meeting on Thursdays from 4:30-7:10PM.
This course carries MI and Capstone Credit.
Bring your writing savvy to Lake Accotink Park to learn how writing supports community and neighborhood engagement, promotes environmental and social justice, and makes a meaningful difference at the local level. Our community site is a 493-acre park in Fairfax county with wetlands, woods, recreational trails, rented pavilions/picnic sites, play areas, and other services. The park provides an inclusive public space that enables visitors to connect with nature, enjoy recreational activities, volunteer, gather, and learn, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Class sessions will visit the park to meet with naturalists and other park stewards. Students will additionally volunteer 15 hours at Lake Accotink, learn about/research the park, and create a portfolio of public writing. Our course readings will take up the idea of “third space,” the “nature gap,” the connections between environmental and racial justice, forest bathing, animistic grammar, and the importance of public spaces.
