HSY4180

Images of the natural world: issues in environmental history

(ART)

Assoc. Prof. David Garrioch, Dr Stephen Legg

12 points + 2-hour seminar per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prohibition: GES4180

Synopsis: Subject covers history of how people related to and thought about the natural environment.It introduces recent literature on environmental history, beginning with how early modern Europeans used natural resources and the impact on landscape and waterways of new technology,urban growth and larger population.It examines environmental consequences of European expansion into the New World, of industrialization and imperialism, medicine and science. Attention is given to how the environment has affected human society through climate change, plagues and depletion of natural resources. Focuses on changing ideas of the natural environment,which underlay the way people interpreted and used it.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 25% + Research essay (5000 words): 50% + Take-home examination (2 hours): 25%