Course Description
Think globally and act locally has been a staple of environmentalism since the early 1970s. What does it mean to think globally, and historically, about the environment? How have global historical processes like industrialization, urbanization, and the agricultural revolution affected local environments? Local and individual actions have long played out in a global context. We will focus in particular on interrelated developments in climate, agriculture, energy, and cities.
Through readings, writing, research, and discussion, we will examine the connection of global and local environments. Case studies will include historical responses to climate change in Europe and North America, the transformation of indigenous foodways and the urban development of Vancouver.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, students will:
- have increased their knowledge of global environmental history in the modern era
- have learned to critically analyze historical sources
- have acquired a conceptual toolkit to help them think critically about contemporary and historical environmental issues
- have learned to develop historical arguments and to think historically
- have improved their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
- have developed collaborative working relationships with other students in the class
Course structure
I. Module Introduction to the Course (one week)
II. Unit 1: Climate Change
- Module 1: Introduction to Climate Change (one week)
- Module 2: Climate Change in History (one week)
- Module 3: Climate Change Action (one week)
III. Unit 2: Agriculture
- Module 4: The Rise of Industrial Agriculture (two weeks)
- Module 5: Post-industrial Agriculture? (one week)
IV. Unit 3: Energy
- Module 6: Energy Regimes and the Industrial Revolution (one week)
- Module 7: Oil and Automobility (two weeks)
V. Unit 4: Cities
- Module 8: Nature and/of the City (one week)
- Module 9: Cities and Environmentalism (one week)
- Module 10: Sustainability and the Future of Cities (one week)
