Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HIST 132 D100

Global Environmental History (3)

Class Number: 5660

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A planetary-scale introduction to reciprocal human-environment interactions from the discovery of fire to the present day. Case studies focus on humans and non-human actors in specific locales, and their movement across continents and oceans. Themes include climate, energy regimes, disease, science and technology, agriculture, subsistence, and landscape change. Breadth-Hum/Social Sci/Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

Never heard of environmental history? You’re not alone! It’s a branch of history that examines relationships between humans and the non-human world—and which pushes the very boundaries of history as a discipline!

This course spans millennia of history, from the first human use of fire to the human-induced melting of ice caps and glaciers today. If you take it, you’ll examine historical events on the largest of scales (the planetary), the smallest of scales (the microbial), and most scales in between. You’ll also consider how non-human actors and factors—plants, animals, germs, climate, topography—have shaped the course of human history.

Each week, we’ll use one historical agent or object—fire, ice, guano (aka bird excrement), rice, mosquitoes—to explore how different societies have tried to control, exploit, and understand the non-human world.

We will use local case studies of each object or agent to ground our investigations in specific times and places.

We’ll also follow its movements across continents and oceans, to practice placing key historical events and trends in comparative and transnational contexts!

Grading

  • Active and engaged participation 15%
  • Mini-essays 25%
  • “The-world-in-an-object” book review 30%
  • Final Exam 30%

NOTES:

No background in science necessary! History and non-History majors are welcome. Non-History majors and joint History majors: you can take this course for B-Hum, B-Soc, or B-Sci credit!

*Course assessments/weightings may change between now and September.

Please contact Dr Adcock (cadcock@sfu.ca) if you have questions!

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

No need to purchase texts! Everything will be available online or via Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.