Tongues in a Greening Field: "Queering" Ecology Through Poetry with Kelly Weber

There is a rich tradition of ecological and pastoral writing by queer authors. Despite this--or perhaps because of it--it can be hard to define just what makes nature writing or ecology "queer." How can "queer ecology" explore and and trouble the definitions of "natural" and "unnatural"? How can queer ecology open up the way we understand our kinship and community with each other and with the natural world? How can we "queer" the way we think about ecology and the way all of life is connected?

In this class, we will explore these questions as we study pastoral and ecological poems by queer authors. We will discuss the many ways poets can "queer" ecology.

At the end of the class, we will practice writing some poems of our own that think about ecology in queer ways. Individuals of all identities are welcome and encouraged to join--we can all practice "queering"…