Topics in Environmental History: Warfare and the Environments in the 20th Century (HIST*4250)

Code and section: HIST*4250*01

Term: Fall 2024

Details

Description:

In the 20th century, warfare has had a complex and catastrophic impact on the environment. During the First and Second World Wars and throughout the Cold War, nation-states mobilized, conscripted, and weaponized all available human and material resources to wage war on land, at sea, and in the air with unprecedented scale and fury. Science, technology, industry, and nature were exploited to increase the size of modern militaries and equip them with more powerful conventional, chemical, and nuclear weapons. The birth of modern warfare was a turning point in Earth’s history, as humanity gained the capacity to mobilize and destroy the environment with near impunity. Yet, nature can be remarkably resilient and regenerative in the face of destruction. Nature has agency in shaping the course, character, and aftermath of modern warfare, as well as the places and spaces affected by military activities. 

This seminar draws together perspectives and debates from environmental history and military history to explore several major questions and themes: How does warfare impact the environment? In what ways have governments and militaries weaponized the environment for war purposes? How are environments viewed and experienced by individuals and societies at war? What role do science and technology play in controlling nature and enabling destruction? How have militaries contaminated or altered the environment? How has nature shaped conflict and its aftermath? What are the environmental legacies of modern warfare?

Method of Delivery:

In-person seminar in two 1.5-hour blocks.

Readings:

No required textbook. A schedule of weekly readings will be assigned in the Course Outline and made available through CourseLink.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify how human and non-human factors have altered local, transnational, and global environments over time.
2. Explain how the environment shapes politics, economies, societies, conflicts, and cultures over time.
3. Understand the relationship between science, technology, and the environment within different wartime contexts.
4. Analyze the impact of military activities on different geographies, climates, and marine and terrestrial environments.
5. Synthesize specialized knowledge, arguments, and evidence related to the disciplines of environmental history and military history.
6. Analyze primary and secondary historical sources and communicate results in oral and written formats.
7. Draw connections between environmental issues in the past and present.

Assignments:

• Weekly Seminar Participation: 20%
• Seminar Reading Presentations (2): 20%
• Essay Proposal and Annotated Bibliography: 10%
• Essay Writing and Research Process Assignments: 15%
• Essay: 35%

*Please note: This is a preliminary web course description only.  The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester. 

**Please login to WebAdvisor, once the course schedule goes live, for instructor and room information.

Syllabus

Attachment	Size
HIST 4250 01 F24 OFFICIAL COURSE OUTLINE.pdf	183.05 KB