Walkers, Drifters, Thinkers: writings on nature and the road from Robert Louis Stevenson to Werner Herzog
This class explores a range of works that focus on the walker and drifter, examining writers who've portrayed the physical and intellectual pleasures and hardships of life on foot and on the move. From Robert Louis Stevenson, John Muir and Nan Shepherd to Woody Guthrie and Werner Herzog, we investigate the image of the drifter and the walker in celebrated texts from 19th and 20th century literature.
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This class looks at different representations of the figure of the walker and drifter in 19th and 20th century literature, from Stevenson to Werner Herzog. It investigates a range of 19th and 20th century texts that put a spotlight on the drifter and walker and their place in nature and society in different national, political, artistic and economic contexts.
What will we cover?
We consider a rich selection of works by American and European writers, including Stevenson, Shepherd, Guthrie and Bernhard, to scrutinize the representation of walkers and walking alongside artistic engagement with the subjects of nature, travel, mind, and movement in important texts. We will look at the following authors:
Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes (1879)
John Muir, A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf (1916)
Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain (1940s [1977])
Woody Guthrie, Bound for Glory (1943)
Thomas Bernhard, Walking (1971)
Werner Herzog, Of Walking in Ice (1978)
Affordable copies of paperbacks are available to buy. More information will be provided by the tutor in advance.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Have developed literary, historical and cultural knowledge and expression, through varied reading on the subject of the walker and drifter in literature.
-Have developed understanding of key works on walking and nature, alongside a knowledge of the thematic, historical, literary and political contexts of the walker in literature.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No particular skills are needed other than an interest in reading and discussing the literature.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will be held in 2-hour sessions over six weeks. The first hour will be an interactive talk on the text, writer, themes and contexts. The following hour will be a round table and small group discussion of the texts in detail.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Just bring along a copy of the relevant text for discussion each week. Texts are cheaply available to buy and/or to borrow from local libraries. Excerpts will also be distributed in class. Prior reading is the only requirement.
Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes (1879)
John Muir, A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf (1916)
Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain (1940s [1977])
Woody Guthrie, Bound for Glory (1943)
Thomas Bernhard, Walking (1971)
Werner Herzog, Of Walking in Ice (1978)
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
In term three this tutor will also be teaching HLT37 The History of the Irish short story: from James Joyce to Claire Keegan. Look for other fiction courses in our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Fiction.
Richard Niland has published widely on Joseph Conrad and a range of other 19th and 20th century writers. He taught for many years at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and is interested in the various intersections of literature, culture, politics, music and film in different global contexts.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/walkers-drifters-thinkers-writings-on-nature-and-the-road-from-robert-louis-stevenson-to-werner-herzog2926143Walkers, Drifters, Thinkers: writings on nature and the road from Robert Louis Stevenson to Werner Herzoghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Literary non-fiction/Courses/vm/Environment & Sustainability/Courses/vm/Inspired by nature22851177118712765136691373012285117711871653<p>This class explores a range of works that focus on the walker and drifter, examining writers who've portrayed the physical and intellectual pleasures and hardships of life on foot and on the move. From Robert Louis Stevenson, John Muir and Nan Shepherd to Woody Guthrie and Werner Herzog, we investigate the image of the drifter and the walker in celebrated texts from 19th and 20th century literature.</p>002926008Walkers, Drifters, Thinkers: writings on nature and the road from Robert Louis Stevenson to Werner Herzog179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT279179179Walkers, Drifters, Thinkers: writings on nature and the road from Robert Louis Stevenson to Werner Herzog143116179Richard Nilandwalkers-drifters-thinkers-writings-on-nature-and-the-road-from-robert-louis-stevenson-to-werner-herzog/hlt279-2526<p>This class explores a range of works that focus on the walker and drifter, examining writers who've portrayed the physical and intellectual pleasures and hardships of life on foot and on the move. From Robert Louis Stevenson, John Muir and Nan Shepherd to Woody Guthrie and Werner Herzog, we investigate the image of the drifter and the walker in celebrated texts from 19th and 20th century literature.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-14 00:00:00<p>This class looks at different representations of the figure of the walker and drifter in 19th and 20th century literature, from Stevenson to Werner Herzog. It investigates a range of 19th and 20th century texts that put a spotlight on the drifter and walker and their place in nature and society in different national, political, artistic and economic contexts.</p><p>This class explores a range of works that focus on the walker and drifter, examining writers who've portrayed the physical and intellectual pleasures and hardships of life on foot and on the move. From Robert Louis Stevenson, John Muir and Nan Shepherd to Woody Guthrie and Werner Herzog, we investigate the image of the drifter and the walker in celebrated texts from 19th and 20th century literature.</p><p>We consider a rich selection of works by American and European writers, including Stevenson, Shepherd, Guthrie and Bernhard, to scrutinize the representation of walkers and walking alongside artistic engagement with the subjects of nature, travel, mind, and movement in important texts. We will look at the following authors:</p><p>Robert Louis Stevenson, <em>Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes </em>(1879)</p><p>John Muir, <em>A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf </em>(1916)</p><p>Nan Shepherd, <em>The Living Mountain </em>(1940s [1977])</p><p>Woody Guthrie, <em>Bound for Glory </em>(1943)</p><p>Thomas Bernhard, <em>Walking</em> (1971)</p><p>Werner Herzog, <em>Of Walking in Ice </em>(1978)</p><p>Affordable copies of paperbacks are available to buy. More information will be provided by the tutor in advance.</p><p>-Have developed literary, historical and cultural knowledge and expression, through varied reading on the subject of the walker and drifter in literature.</p><p>-Have developed understanding of key works on walking and nature, alongside a knowledge of the thematic, historical, literary and political contexts of the walker in literature.</p><p>No particular skills are needed other than an interest in reading and discussing the literature.</p><p>The class will be held in 2-hour sessions over six weeks. The first hour will be an interactive talk on the text, writer, themes and contexts. The following hour will be a round table and small group discussion of the texts in detail.</p><p>No other costs. Just bring along a copy of the relevant text for discussion each week. Texts are cheaply available to buy and/or to borrow from local libraries. Excerpts will also be distributed in class. Prior reading is the only requirement.</p><p>Robert Louis Stevenson, <em>Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes </em>(1879)</p><p>John Muir, <em>A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf </em>(1916)</p><p>Nan Shepherd, <em>The Living Mountain </em>(1940s [1977])</p><p>Woody Guthrie, <em>Bound for Glory </em>(1943)</p><p>Thomas Bernhard, <em>Walking</em> (1971)</p><p>Werner Herzog, <em>Of Walking in Ice </em>(1978)</p><p>In term three this tutor will also be teaching HLT37 The History of the Irish short story: from James Joyce to Claire Keegan. Look for other fiction courses in our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Fiction.</p>LiteratureLiterary non-fictionvirtual143179116HLT279NONEThu14/05/26 - 18/06/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetRichard NilandBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities179179Walkers, Drifters, Thinkers: writings on nature and the road from Robert Louis Stevenson to Werner Herzogwalkers-drifters-thinkers-writings-on-nature-and-the-road-from-robert-louis-stevenson-to-werner-herzog/hlt279-2526<p>This class explores a range of works that focus on the walker and drifter, examining writers who've portrayed the physical and intellectual pleasures and hardships of life on foot and on the move. From Robert Louis Stevenson, John Muir and Nan Shepherd to Woody Guthrie and Werner Herzog, we investigate the image of the drifter and the walker in celebrated texts from 19th and 20th century literature.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-14 00:00:00<p>This class looks at different representations of the figure of the walker and drifter in 19th and 20th century literature, from Stevenson to Werner Herzog. It investigates a range of 19th and 20th century texts that put a spotlight on the drifter and walker and their place in nature and society in different national, political, artistic and economic contexts.</p><p>This class explores a range of works that focus on the walker and drifter, examining writers who've portrayed the physical and intellectual pleasures and hardships of life on foot and on the move. From Robert Louis Stevenson, John Muir and Nan Shepherd to Woody Guthrie and Werner Herzog, we investigate the image of the drifter and the walker in celebrated texts from 19th and 20th century literature.</p><p>We consider a rich selection of works by American and European writers, including Stevenson, Shepherd, Guthrie and Bernhard, to scrutinize the representation of walkers and walking alongside artistic engagement with the subjects of nature, travel, mind, and movement in important texts. We will look at the following authors:</p><p>Robert Louis Stevenson, <em>Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes </em>(1879)</p><p>John Muir, <em>A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf </em>(1916)</p><p>Nan Shepherd, <em>The Living Mountain </em>(1940s [1977])</p><p>Woody Guthrie, <em>Bound for Glory </em>(1943)</p><p>Thomas Bernhard, <em>Walking</em> (1971)</p><p>Werner Herzog, <em>Of Walking in Ice </em>(1978)</p><p>Affordable copies of paperbacks are available to buy. More information will be provided by the tutor in advance.</p><p>-Have developed literary, historical and cultural knowledge and expression, through varied reading on the subject of the walker and drifter in literature.</p><p>-Have developed understanding of key works on walking and nature, alongside a knowledge of the thematic, historical, literary and political contexts of the walker in literature.</p><p>No particular skills are needed other than an interest in reading and discussing the literature.</p><p>The class will be held in 2-hour sessions over six weeks. The first hour will be an interactive talk on the text, writer, themes and contexts. The following hour will be a round table and small group discussion of the texts in detail.</p><p>No other costs. Just bring along a copy of the relevant text for discussion each week. Texts are cheaply available to buy and/or to borrow from local libraries. Excerpts will also be distributed in class. Prior reading is the only requirement.</p><p>Robert Louis Stevenson, <em>Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes </em>(1879)</p><p>John Muir, <em>A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf </em>(1916)</p><p>Nan Shepherd, <em>The Living Mountain </em>(1940s [1977])</p><p>Woody Guthrie, <em>Bound for Glory </em>(1943)</p><p>Thomas Bernhard, <em>Walking</em> (1971)</p><p>Werner Herzog, <em>Of Walking in Ice </em>(1978)</p><p>In term three this tutor will also be teaching HLT37 The History of the Irish short story: from James Joyce to Claire Keegan. Look for other fiction courses in our Literature programme at www.citylit.ac.uk under History, Culture and Humanities/Literature/Fiction.</p>LiteratureLiterary non-fictionconfigurable
127651187Literary non-fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/literary-non-fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/127651/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Literary non-fiction
