Introduction to Environmental Humanities

In this environmental humanities seminar we will consider texts illustrating how American citizens evolved in their perceptions, use, and expectations of the natural world during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, especially but not limited to the practice of agriculture. We will also consider how practices of agriculture were inextricably tied to oppression and misuse not only of land but of people. How did the mandatory short-term goals of health and economic security sought so eagerly by citizens, and supported by evolving technologies, foreshadow the unintended consequences of long-term environmental damage that would contribute to climate change, and historic trauma that marginalized communities still live with today? How can we understand this using a critical and hopeful lens? Considering contemporary writings on our perception of "environmentalism" will help us nuance our analysis. Topics will include: agrarian democracy; settlement of the Great Plains by immigrant farmers; the Dust Bowl; fragementation of the Sioux ecosystem. If COVID guidelines permit, students will have the opportunity to visit the Tyson Research Center, Washington University's field laboratory in west St. Louis County. Tyson's mission is to provide a living landscape for environmental research and education as a component of Washington University's International Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (InCEES). As a class we will meet with faculty researchers (from both science and the humanities) and hear about their work on ecosystem sustainability, that is, thinking long-term for human and environmental health. Throughout the course we will use texts such as: government reports, history, literature, environmental policy and autobiography. This course is for first-year students and sophomore students only.
Course Attributes: EN H; FYS; BU Hum; AS HUM; FA HUM; AR HUM

Introduction to Environmental Humanities

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 215

Section 01

Section 02