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ENVIR ST 465

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY

3-4 credits.

Explores the history of human relationships with the environment on a global scale through analysis of long-term changes, from early civilizations, to the beginnings of global trade, the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, and 20th century technological developments. Offers first-hand historiographical research experience and training in writing for public web audiences.

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Sophomore standing or 3 credits in HISTORY, GEOG or ENVIR ST Course Designation: Core GenEd - Humanities & Arts Breadth - Humanities or Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Define “the Anthropocene” and evaluate different approaches for dating and naming this new “human age” Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Analyze the intersections of multiple historical socio-natural processes— such as extraction, colonialism, racism, capitalism, agriculture, industrialization, and modernization—to explain the production of uneven development and environmental crises Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Document and analyze aspects of modern life that will be “modern fossils” in the distant future Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain the importance of historical analysis for understanding contemporary environmental problems Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Apply historical methods to analyze how a material object of their choice illustrates a particular interpretation of the Anthropocene Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Assess significant works in the historiography of global environmental history and interdisciplinary Anthropocene studies Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Define “the Anthropocene” and evaluate different approaches for dating and naming this new “human age” Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Analyze the intersections of multiple historical socio-natural processes— such as extraction, colonialism, racism, capitalism, agriculture, industrialization, and modernization—to explain the production of uneven development and environmental crises Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Document and analyze aspects of modern life that will be “modern fossils” in the distant future Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain the importance of historical analysis for understanding contemporary environmental problems Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Apply historical methods to analyze how a material object of their choice illustrates a particular interpretation of the Anthropocene Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Assess significant works in the historiography of global environmental history and interdisciplinary Anthropocene studies Audience: Graduate

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