Special Topics in Environmental Policy and Culture (390-0-20)

Topic

Inventing the Earth

Instructors

Madeline E. White

Meeting Info

University Hall 118: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Inventing the Earth: Humans, Technology, and the Environment

From the invention of plows that enabled early agriculturists to till the earth efficiently to the use of SeaKites to create eco-friendly energy in hostile ocean environments, technology has mediated and channeled human interactions the environment. This class will explore the evolving relationship of humans to the natural world and the role of technology in facilitating these interactions. We will review attempts to tame, order, combat, and preserve nature as well as the consequences of these interactions. The environment and technology also share a long scholarly tradition, and this course will draw on seminal texts alongside growing literature in history, anthropology, and digital humanities. In addition to technologies that enabled changes in human-environmental relations, topics such as pollution and depletion will form a core theme, as well as the role of technology in combatting climate change.

Evaluation Method

Class participation, short essays/reflections, source analysis paper, final project outline, end of term project/paper

Class Materials (Required)

Course reading materials will be articles, excerpts, documents, and visual material posted to Canvas.

Class Notes

Major and minor concentration categories
Americas, English/European
Science and technology
Environment
Europe (including Britain)

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration is reserved for Environmental Sciences majors, Earth and Planetary Sciences major/minors, Science in Human Culture majors and minors, and Environmental Policy and Culture majors and minors..