Course description
Japanese knotweed, Burmese python, European starling—these are just a few names from the long list of flora and fauna that have dominated headlines as America’s “alien invaders,” posing threats not only to the “native” biota but also to the national psyche and security.
This block seminar explores the historical and cultural narratives linking immigration and invasive species in the United States. By examining the interplay between biological and cultural anxieties, students will analyze how ecological discourses, national identities, and policies have shaped and reinforced one another. Through case studies and multimedia materials, the course offers a deeper understanding of America's evolving concepts of belonging and exclusion at the intersection of ecology and history.
- Викладач: Kung Wing