Reflections on the Semester

https://youtu.be/jFh3Et64xIQ


Over the course of the semester, this class has given us the opportunity to think, to reflect, and to discuss several topics that have broadened our perspectives and challenged our position in our environment.  Though aspects of our video are purely humorous, a few themes underlie the clips.  Of these themes, those that we found salient were an increased familiarity with environmental writers, opportunities to learn about new topics, learning through volunteering at the Fort Worth Nature Center, and explorative education beyond class activities.
           
 Three environmental writers we focus on in the video are Timothy Clark, Edward Abbey, and Henry David Thoreau, each with unique writing styles in their own respects. Clark, while we make a jab at the denseness of his work, perfectly conveyed previous and current thought within the environmentalist community. He laid the foundation of the class, introducing anthropocentrism and concluding with anthropomorphism. These theories seemed to weave in and out of the stories written by Abbey and Thoreau. Edward Abbey opened our eyes to a lumberjack-esque environmentalist who personified the actions of animals and nature to the greatest extent. His descriptive writing is a feat of its own, but there is something to be said about the activism brought about from The Monkey Wrench Gang and inspiring other eco-terrorist groups. The four of us placed this novel on to our list of must-reads. Finally, we have Henry David Thoreau. From the outside looking in, the man is an enigma. With a bit more inquiry, we see a man simply dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of the world around him. It’s rare when another person’s own fervor for a topic can influence centuries of readers, and yet that’s what Thoreau could do. His close accounts of the natural world and philosophical demeanor had a lasting impact, allowing us to peer into his world while living in the Walden Woods. We’re gracious to have been introduced to Thoreau this semester and plan on reading more of his works.
           
 This class was an experience unlike any other curriculum as much of the material covered and goals were unfamiliar to the students. In an educational world dominated by technology and technical skills across majors, we lose sight of what is happening outside of the classroom. Treks and Texts was a chance to learn something new. To educate ourselves on our very earth burning in front of our eyes, how true beauty is described through the lens of poetic wanders across centuries, and how just a little time outside can shed light on our purpose to sustain for future generations. Not only was this a chance to learn something new from a historical and literary standpoint, Treks and Texts showed us something new about ourselves from within. We cannot speak for all students, but we think most can agree they found something new about themselves by taking a breath away from all the chaos. This is before mentioning the fact that we were tasked with keeping a journal throughout the semester. Many classes today teach how to write narratives and research papers, but diaries designed to uncover minute details on nature was a refreshing change of pace.  While difficult at times, it was a key aspect of our class. The journals taught students how to paint a canvas with words while staying brief and forthright at the same time, a skill that is overlooked in our society. 

 It is a unique experience for a university class to spend one-third of the semester outside of the classroom and a particularly special experience to spend it outdoors.  Interestingly, no one in our group realized the Fort Worth Nature Center existed nor imagined the predominantly undisturbed environment it contains.  In addition to seeing an alligator and copperhead snake, both of which we had no expectation to see merely 30 minutes from our campus, the volunteer work allowed us to experience Fort Worth in a new way.  The hands-on effort generated a connection with the local landscape we had not felt before the semester.  As much as we would not like to admit it, Barry Lopez was perhaps correct in proposing that Americans are largely ignorant of the environment in which they live.  Even if our awareness of Fort Worth is unsophisticated, the opportunities afforded by volunteering at the Fort Worth Nature Center have enhanced our understanding of what our local environment has to offer.

Colloquia classes are designed to change the way we view the world. However, Treks and Texts did not only change the way we view the world, but the way we view Fort Worth. Despite being seniors, it was not until this semester that we truly were able to take advantage of all Fort Worth has to offer. We had the opportunity to spend over a month serving at a nature center we did not know existed just thirty minutes from campus.  Aside from our time at the nature center, we were also encouraged to explore the nature in Fort Worth through journals and observations. We can honestly say that, without this class, we would have never taken the time go to Panther Island Pavilion and spend an afternoon paddle boarding. Although these are just two experiences, this class has provided us with countless opportunities to take advantage of all Fort Worth has to offer and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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