What is it about certain places that embeds itself so deeply into our essence, molding our perceptions, defining our selves, and imprinting upon generations? How does the spirit of a local environment inform national pride and identity, and in turn, shape its stance on the global stage? This course delves into these pressing questions, focusing on the dynamic interplay between belonging and artistic endeavor within the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the picturesque landscapes of the Scottish Lowlands.

Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland's most iconic cities, have long been epicenters of cultural and artistic brilliance. Glasgow, with its industrial roots, has metamorphosed into a thriving hub of contemporary art, music, and literature. Edinburgh, the historic and literary heart of Scotland, boasts the title of UNESCO’s first City of Literature. Furthermore, the Scottish Lowlands have provided the backdrop for countless tales, songs, and legends, influencing creatives from Sir Walter Scott to contemporary artists. The region’s unique blend of history, culture, and geography has made it a beacon for those seeking inspiration and identity.

Adopting the methodology of reading place as a text, students will immerse themselves in direct observation, meticulous documentation, and comprehensive mapping exercises. Through reflective writing tasks, interviews, and interactive discussions, learners will distill their insights and observations. Using these tools, students will apply humanistic inquiry across disciplines to develop their own distinctive creative projects. By weaving together diverse learning modalities via experiential strategies, the course encourages students to hone their communication, critical thinking, and creative faculties, while deepening their socio-cultural understanding and appreciation of Scotland’s storied Lowlands.

Scotland is a vibrant country, and part of what makes it so special is how much they value creativity. There is government support for all kinds of creative projects, and writers find financial and educational support at every stage of their careers, from learning to write, becoming emerging writers, and being practiced published authors that share their work with the world. Glasgow has a thriving writing community for poets, playwrights, screenwriters, memorists, genre writers and fiction writers of all kinds. From the Glasgow Zine Library to the Glasgow Women’s Library, there are all sorts of venues, activities, and opportunities for writers. Edinburgh is a UNESCO City of Literature and hosts the annual Edinburgh International Book Festival, which hosts over 500 writers at “the largest public celebration of words in the world.” It boasts a National Library (a library of record, like the Library of Congress in America) and dozens of bookshops. Students will have the opportunity to read, meet, and learn from six local writers (three from Glasgow, three from Edinburgh) as well as work on their own writing projects, explore ekphrastic writing, cafe writing, and to visit, among other places, the birthplace Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Harry Potter.