RHI-50806 Environmental History

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This course pivots on the main global developments conserning the environment, pro-industrial as well as industrial. The emphasis will be placed on the period 1800-2000. Attention will not only be paid to the real environmental problems but also to the way thinking about nature and landscape changed over time.
There will be lectures on the following themes:
- what is environmental history?
- the elements: earth, air, fire, water;
- pre-industrial environmental problems;
- industrial environmental problems;
- 20th century environmental problems;
- back to nature: mentalities;
- back to nature: facts.

Aims:

- to gain insight in long term developments;
- to get knowledge of the main issues of environmental history, including the history of the green area;
- to gain insight in the historical roots of actual problems.

Activities:

- lectures on the subjects mentioned above, with discussions;
- discussions on the literature.

Examination:

Written examination.

Literature:

Clive Ponting, 'A green history of the world' (Penguin Book ISBN 0140176608), a Dutch edition is also available: Clive Ponting, Een groene geschiedenis van de wereld (2002 Forum Amsterdam ISBN9022532461).
Additional articles.