How did medieval people interact with their broader environment? What can we learn from these interactions? In this course, we will explore how medieval literature and art situate human beings in relation to the nonhuman world, in ways that are simultaneously radically alien and resonant with our own modern perspective. Through a combination of creative and critical assignments, participants will reflect on how premodern modes of thought can illuminate our present, helping us envision new ways of interacting with our planet's many inhabitants.
3 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit · GER: WAY-A-II, WAY-CE
How did medieval people interact with their broader environment? What can we learn from these interactions? In this course, we will explore how medieval literature and art situate human beings in relation to the nonhuman world, in ways that are simultaneously radically alien and resonant with our own modern perspective. Through a combination of creative and critical assignments, participants will reflect on how premodern modes of thought can illuminate our present, helping us envision new ways of interacting with our planet's many inhabitants.
Offered in Spring 2027 at Stanford University.