Enhance Your Nature Writing: Exploration and Analysis – Online

Become a better writer by becoming a better reader as you take inspiration from the analysis of literary pieces throughout history on this creative writing in nature course.

During this course, you will begin to take inspiration from nature, Japanese literature, nature journals and other famous pieces of literature. You will then create your own pieces and share them with other learners whilst offering support and feedback for each other. This course is brimming with activities and is equally suitable for budding naturalists and people who enjoy writing and reading.

This is a 4-week online course covering 4 topics. Each topic is begun with an interactive Zoom workshop after which you will complete a variety of self-led online resources and activities using the skills and techniques covered. Time commitment is approximately 4 -5 hours a week and an E-certificate is provided upon completion.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Consider the purpose of nature writing and analyse the effect of concision and language
• Explore a range of different ideas and philosophical beliefs regarding the role of nature and our connection with it
• Evaluate the importance of, and the relationship between, structure, imagery and mood
• Investigate the precision with which a piece of literary writing is constructed
  Share this knowledge with friends, family, and fellow volunteers.

Who Should Attend? – Budding writers, Nature enthusiasts, Students, Rangers, Early career ecologists.

Knowledge Level – Intermediate.
Participants should be used to writing regularly and are familiar with writing techniques such as similes, metaphors and imagery and how to use punctuation appropriately.
Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is needed for this course. Just a willingness to contribute and learn.

Understand how our online courses are delivered

Live Webinar Information

There are 4 webinars for this course, taking place at the end of each week. Please see the date listing below for the day and time.

Please note – webinars will be recorded and uploaded to the virtual learning platform for learners unable to attend.

Woody River

Woody River is the Director of Secret Landscapes, which offers guided walks on the themes of botany, foraging and literary heritage. With a BA (Hons) and MA in Literature and Creative Writing, Woody is also a qualified teacher who designs and teaches literature and botany courses for adults, as well as providing private tuition for international secondary school students. She has a particular interest in wildflowers and ferns, and loves observing different species of primate in their natural habitats.

Week 1: The Roots of Nature Writing 
Self-study material available from the start date.
Week 1 Live Webinar at the beginning of week 1

Week 2: Philosophical Nature Writing  
Self-study material available at the start of Week 2
Week 2 Live Webinar: at the beginning of week 2

Week 3: Political/Polemical Nature Writing 
Self-study material available at the start of Week 3
Week 3 Live webinar at the beginning of week 3

Week 4: Literary Nature Writing 
Self-study material available at the start of Week 4
Week 4 Live webinar at the beginning of week 4

The final deadline to complete any outstanding assignments and self-study components is 3 weeks after the final webinar.

Time commitment: This course will require approximately 2-3 hours of your time each week. This includes covering course materials on our Moodle learning platform and the Zoom session.

• 
  Expert Tuition

What’s Included

The course has been carefully created to help you continue to build and develop your knowledge as the course progresses. With content crafted to the online Moodle Platform and bespoke to the Field Studies Council.

The course includes:

• 45-minute interactive weekly Zoom workshops to connect with the tutor and other participants
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Activities to work on independently in advance of each Zoom workshop
• Tailored course completion certificate

Once registered, you will follow well-illustrated, user-friendly ’books’ to pick up knowledge. Quizzes and skill checks will give you instant feedback on your learning. Forums give students the chance to interact with each other as well as a place to share work.

• ★★★★☆

  Woody was always on hand to advise us and was very keen for us to discuss our work.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Accessing Your Course

• Once you sign up you’ll receive an email at least 24 hours in advance of the course opening with details of how to access our easy-to-use platform, Moodle.
• Moodle can be accessed through a browser or an app.
• Webinars are via Zoom so you won’t need any new software to attend

Recommended Devices

It is recommended that you access your course through a PC or laptop. Please be aware that there will be reduced functionality if you decide to access the course through a tablet or smartphone. The Field Studies Council is unable to email content directly to you.

Other Requirements

Participants will need to source the following texts before the start of the course:

• Deakin, Roger, (2007), Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees, London: Penguin Books.
• Griffiths, Jay, (2021), Why Rebel, London: Penguin Books.