HIST 598: Environmental History

This graduate course is designed as a broad overview of modern environmental history, covering major works, debates, and methodologies in the field. At the heart of environmental history is the study of the reciprocal relationship between human societies and the rest of nature. This allows historians to view a diversity of influences from natural environments on human history while in turn recognizing how human processes continuously reshape and repurpose nature.

Environmental History is especially valuable for attending to geographical, spatial, and ecological influences on human societies. We will read a selection of major works covering major themes in environmental history like biological exchange, climate change, epidemic disease, food, forestry, energy, and gendered conceptions of nature. By the end of this semester, you will have a firm foundation in approaches to environmental history, and be able to apply insights from these works into your own research and teaching.

Please review the syllabus for full course information. 

This is a Full Semester course. Participants may register for one Full Semester course OR one course each in Summer I and Summer II.

Related Courses by Institution
HIST 594 Who is an American? (Winter/Spring 2021)
HIST 598 Studies in Segregation (Summer 2021)
HIST 547 Contested Heritage (Fall 2021)
HIST 512 Civil War & Reconstruction: 1848-1877 (Winter/Spring 2022)
HIST 598 Environmental History (Summer 2022)