Loren Eiseley: Writings of a Naturalist Honors Colloquium 395H   Where: Neidhardt Honors Seminar Room (Gray Parlor) Organizer: Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, W436 Nebraska Hall, 68588-0514, 472-2664, email: mjameson1@unl.edu Credit Hours: 3 hours When: 2:00-4:30 Tuesday Texts: Assignments will be based on readings from Eiseley's books as well as excerpts from Eiseley's works. Five books are required for the course: The Immense Journey, The Invisible Pyramid, The Firmament of Time, The Night Country, and All the Strange Hours. These are available at the University Bookstore. Objectives: To familiarize students with the writing and philosophy of Loren Eiseley, one of the greatest 20th century nature writers. Format: Informal seminar style that will generally consist of discussion (based on presented information and assigned readings) and writing assignments. Grading: Grading will be based on class interaction, attendance, journal writing, theme project, and student presentation.   Date Topic and Assignments What's Due? Aug. 28 Introduction to Eiseley Assigned reading: "The Badlands and the School" (All the Strange Hours, pp. 82-93) and "Eiseley's Medium: The Essay" (Loren Eiseley by Gerber/McFadden, pp. 20-32, handout) Begin book: The Immense Journey (discussion on Oct. 2) Sep. 4 Who was Eiseley? Watch and discuss the video "Reflections of a Bone Hunter" Assigned reading: "The Gold Wheel" (The Night Country, pp. 3-12) Sep. 11 Eiseley's Hometown Tour Eiseley's Lincoln Readings at the Rudd Mansion Assigned reading: "Man Against the Universe" (The Star Thrower, pp. 207-221, handout) Sep. 18 The Eiseley Heritage Tour of Heritage Room at Bennett Martin Library Discuss presentations Assigned reading: "The World Eaters" (The Invisible Pyramid, pp. 53-71) Due: First journal (include "Badlands and the School," "Gold Wheel," "Man Against the Universe", and notes from The Immense Journey) *Sep. 24 * "The Search and Discovery of our Earliest Ancestors" by Dr. Maeve Leakey (optional) Thompson Forum lecture at Lied Center (3:30) Invitation to Leakey Reception at Morrill Hall (5:00 or after lecture)   *Sep. 24-27 *PBS Evolution Series (optional) Channel 12 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (7-9:00pm)   Sep. 25 Field trip to 9-mile Prairie Crash course on being a naturalist Prairie writing exercise Assigned reading: "How Natural is Natural?" (The Firmament of Time, pp. 153-181) Due: Topics for presentation and theme paper Oct. 2 Eiseley's Morrill Hall Tour of Eiseley's Morrill Hall Geological and galaxial time Finish: The Immense Journey for next class (Oct. 9) *Oct. 7 *Wyuka Cemetery Historic Tour guided by Ed Zimmer (City Historian) (optional) Wyuka Cemetery (2:00)   Oct. 9 The Immense Journey Discussion of concepts in The Immense Journey Begin Book: The Night Country (discussion on Nov. 13) For Next Class: Assignment about Eiseley's personalities Assigned reading: "The Star Dragon" (The Invisible Pyramid, pp. 7-27) Oct. 16 Who was Eiseley? Discussion about Eiseley's personality Assigned reading: Poetry selections Assigned for next class: Bring your favorite Eiseley poem to the next class Due: Second journal (include "The World Eaters", "How Natural is Natural?", "The Star Dragon", and notes from The Immense Journey) Due: Assignment on Eiseley's personalities *Oct. 18 *"Antievolution in 20th Century America–From Creation Science to Intelligent Design" by Ronald Numbers, Science Historian, University of Wisconsin, Madison (optional) 7:30 pm Bessey Hall Auditorium, Room 117   Oct. 23 Semester Break. No class. Oct. 30 Eiseley's Poetry Assigned readings: "The Star Thrower" (The Star Thrower, pp. 169-185, handout) Due: Your favorite Eiseley poem Nov. 1 *"How the Universe Began and Our Place in it" by Michael S. Turner, Cosmologist (optional) 7:30 pm Nebraska Union Auditorium   Nov. 6 The Star Thrower Roundtable discussion on "The Star Thrower" Finish: The Night Country for next class (Nov. 13) Nov. 13 The Night Country Field trip to Wyuka cemetery Roundtable discussion on The Night Country Due: Third journal (include "Star Thrower," poetry, and notes from The Night Country) *Nov. 17 *Friends of Loren Eiseley Annual Meeting (optional) 2:00 Discussion of "Eiseley vs. High School Students" led by David Martin (Publisher of The Fine Lines Journal). Bennett Martin Library. 4:00 Discussion of "One Night's Dying" (The Night Country, pp. 169-178) led by Christy Rothermund (President, Friends of Loren Eiseley). 305 Morrill Hall. 5:30 Social Hour at Morrill Hall. 6:30 Dinner at Morrill Hall. ($20.00) 7:30 Evening Program by Paul Gruchow (author of The Necessity of Empty Places and Grass Roots: The Universe of Home) who will speak on "Dark Lizard, White Night: Loren Eiseley's Night Vision." Morrill Hall Auditorium. Nov. 20 Student Presentations: Maggie and Brad. Assigned readings: "Science and the Sense of the Holy" (The Star Thrower, pp. 186-201, handout)   Nov. 27 Student Presentations: Sarah, Brady, and Emily. Assigned readings: "How Human is Man?" (The Firmament of Time, pp. 117-149)   *Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 *"Inherit the Wind" at UNL's Howell Theatre. Tickets $8.00 for students, $10.00 for citizens. 7:30 pm. (optional) This production takes its plot from the famous Scopes trial which pitted the teaching of evolution against the teaching of creationism.   Dec. 4 Student Presentations: Andy and Amanda. Last class. Dec. 11 Dead Week. No class. Dec. 18 Finals Week. No class. Due: Writing project on Eiseley theme Due: Fourth journal (include "Science and the Sense of the Holy" and "How Human is Man?"). Course Requirements   1) Readings as assigned 2) One optional activity (see asterisks on syllabus) and a short paragraph about this experience 3) Journal Writings Dates Due: Sep. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dec. 18 Expectations: Short entries (1-2 paragraphs) about your interpretations, feelings, and questions concerning assigned readings. These entries will form the basis for class discussions. 4) Student Presentation Date Due: Presentations on Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 4 Topic: Eiseley theme or naturalist theme. Expectations: Informal presentation/discussion on either an Eiseley theme or a naturalist theme. The presentation is intended to allow the student to explore some aspect of Eiseley's works, Eiseley's life, or Eiseley's interests. The presentation will be informal and will consist of presentation, demonstration, discussion, and questions. Be creative and enjoy the exploration. Topics might include: 1) study guides for college, high school, or elementary students 2) self-guided tour book for an Eiseley nature hike 3) a chautauqua presentation 4) article on some aspect of Eiseley for publication in the Caravan, Plains Song Review, Prairie Schooner, or other literary magazine 5) review, critique, or personal interpretation of Eiseley's work or works 6) discussion of Eiseley's literary style (parable, metaphor, homilies, etc.) 7) a historical view of Eiseley's Lincoln 5) Writing Project: Eiseley Theme Date Due: Dec. 18 Topic: Essay or literary project that is intended to allow you to explore an Eiseley theme or your own writing skills. For example, the writing project may be on some aspect of an Eiseley theme or your interpretation of an Eiseley theme. Themes include such topics as: time, death, purpose, loneliness, evolution, nature, etc. You may discuss a theme in removed way (Eiseley believed . . . ) or in an active way (I believe that Eiseley used the metaphor of a vine to show . . . ). The writing project may also take the form of an essay, poem, teacher guide, or web page that allows you to develop your own writing skills. You may explore some aspect of science, nature, or natural philosophy (hopefully an interest evoked by Eiseley’s writings). The outcome of the writing project may be a literary article (for possible submission to a literary magazine or newsletter), a teacher’s guide or natural history walking guide, an examination of Eiseley as a person, or the development of your own thoughts concerning nature, science, and spirituality. The sky is the limit! Be creative. Expectations: Dependent upon the literary avenue that you select.