HIST 3991 - Environmental History

Delivery Online, self-paced

Course Description

This course examines the reciprocal relations between humans and non-human nature through a historiographic perspective. The course addresses the changing impact of human populations, their technology and their ideas on the physical environment, as well as how climate, topography, plants and animals have enabled, constrained, and altered the path of human societies. A North American context is emphasized.

Learning outcomes

Describe the field of environmental history.
Discuss significant themes in environmental history.
Explain how historical events have been influenced by the natural environment.
Explain how human activity has altered the natural environment over time.
Critically read, analyze, and respond in writing to selected primary literature in the field of environmental history.
Effectively communicate in writing and in online discussions critical analyses and evaluations of the environmental history literature.

Course topics

Unit 1
- Topic 1: Introduction to Environmental History
- Topic 2: Indigenous Environmental Change
- Topic 3: Ecological Imperialism
Unit 2
- Topic 1: Colonization
- Topic 2: The Fur Trade: Commodification and Indigenous Labour
- Topic 3: Agricultural Development
Unit 3
- Topic 1: The Conservation Movement
- Topic 2: The Parks Movement
- Topic 3: Urbanization
Unit 4
- Topic 1: Modernity, Energy, and Consumption
- Topic 2: The Environmental Movement
- Topic 3: Climate Change

Required text and materials

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

Steinberg, T. (2018). Down to Earth: Nature’s Role in American History (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780198032106 / 9780199315017

Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following link.

Assessments

To complete this course successfully, you must obtain a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Project.

Assessment 1: Exercises	20%
Assessment 2: Reading Notes	20%
Assessment 3: Historiography Assignment	20%
Assessment 4: Research Essay Proposal	5%
Mandatory Final Project	35%

Prerequisites

Completion of 60 credits

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HIST 3991 - 70445

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Online, self-paced

Available

Environmental History

Any Time (30 weeks duration)

Online, self-paced

Canadian in BC/YT non-credit	$862.62	Click here to get more information
Canadian outside BC/YT non-credit	$971.70	Click here to get more information
International Student non-credit	$1,686.15	Click here to get more information

3 credits

Open Learning faculty member information

An Open Learning faculty member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.