Course: “Susquehanna Country” (UNIV 241, ENGL 225, ENST 225, HUMN 290)
Faculty: Katie Faull and Alf Siewers
DP&S Liaison: Diane Jakacki
Date: Spring 2016
Professors Faull and Siewers redesigned their Integrated Perspectives course “Susquehanna Country” to incorporate a variety of digital methods and tools to analyze the cultural, historical, and environmental aspects of the Susquehanna region and Bucknell’s place within it.
As described in their course WordPress site, “”Susquehanna Country” explores the confluence of cultures and the Susquehanna watershed with the formation of America, and how ecological and cultural interactions shape regional identity. [The course] connects fields of digital and environmental humanities, comparative literary and philosophical study including English and German and Native American studies, and ecocriticism. The course will focus on exploring concepts of native and settler cultural landscapes and their significance for environmental and social issues today, examining the ethics of digital approaches to the representation of culture and environment, and investigating the idea of region.”
Since the original course redesign grant was awarded in 2014, the course has been taught twice. Over that time students have participated in increasingly sophisticated digital assignments: blogging, gathering artifacts in Omeka and building Neatline exhibits; creating map projects in ArcGIS Online; and recording video essays and podcasts to reflect upon their experiences over the semester.
2016 Course Site: