Ateneo - UPO

The course is aimed at providing an introduction to the changing relationships between human beings and the natural world in different places and various periods in a global perspective. It explores how nature has helped to shape culture as well as how humans have modified the natural world and transformed the environment in various contexts and for several purposes. Focusing on two of the most acclaimed studies in environmental history (see Textbook section), the course will consider how the relation nature/humans has varied, providing students with a broad and complex view of the past phenomena and processes and the scale of human impact on Earth in history.

Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel. The Fates of Human Societies, any edition after 1997; Yuval Harari, Sapiens: a brief history of humankind, any edition after 2014.

The course will have a seminar and discussion-based form that helps students to gain a deeper appreciation of the theory and practice of environmental history. The course will explore different facets of complex interactions and relationships of humans with their environments to understand how human beings have altered, and been altered by, the nonhuman world around them. The course intends to familiarize students with the methods, advantages, and challenges of an interdisciplinary study of history since environmental history draws from both the natural sciences and humanities. During the course, and through interaction and in-class discussion, students will attain historical perspectives on global environmental issues they face today.
To this goal, the course aims to provide:
- Knowledge of the changes and connections between humans and nature from prehistory to the present within a global context.
- Understanding and evaluation of historical ideas, arguments, and points of view.
- Acquisition of the specific language of scholarly literature regarding historical sciences.
- Capacity to effectively communicate interpretations and arguments in oral and written form.
A more advanced mission is to provide students with methodological tools of analysis to read and critically interpret the past vis-a-vis the challenges and problems of today’s issues.

None

Lectures with the use of media supports and audio/visual aids, Q&A, discussion and exchange of opinions during classes.

Further directions of advanced and supplementary readings will be provided during the course.

Students are required to read the two assigned textbooks, participate actively in classroom discussions, and submit a term paper instead of the final exam. The essay has to be written in Times New Roman, size 12 font, with a reasoned and well-structured argument. The length should be 20.000 characters (spaces included). Each candidate should upload her/his paper to DIR (homework section) at least 5 days before the chosen exam call.
In their term paper, students are expected to demonstrate:
1.KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge of the main events in the historical development of environment in its relations with human factors over time and space
2.SKILLS: Acquisition of fundamental theory, scholarship and practice of environmental history; Acquisition of interpretive tools of historical dynamics at local, transnational and global levels.
3. SOFT SKILLS: Ability to present with clarity and effectiveness their argument, using the appropriate terminology in written form.
Excellent level (30L-29/30) will be reached if the candidate demonstrates: precise and organic knowledge of course topics; advanced ability to synthesize and critically reflect in a personal and autonomous form; excellent ability to contextualize and connect topics in time and space; excellent mastery of expression. Good level (28-26/30) will be reached if the candidate demonstrates: good knowledge of the topics; good ability to reflect and synthesize in an original and personal form; good ability to contextualize and connect the topics of the course; correct terminology but not entirely appropriate to the subject area. The level will be fair (25-22/30) if the candidate demonstrates: adequate knowledge of the topics but in a form that is not entirely organic; partial ability to reflect and synthesize in an original and personal form; fair ability to contextualize and to connect the topics of the course; good but not entirely appropriate terminology; the level will be sufficient (21-18/30) if the candidate demonstrates: basic knowledge of topics related to environmental history; limited formulation of personal and critical remarks; limited ability to contextualize and connect the topics; use of language that is not entirely correct and appropriate. The level will be insufficient if the candidate demonstrates: manifest gaps in the topics covered in the course; inability to orient himself/herself among the themes of the course; limited or scarce ability to critically rework the topics and to place them in due space and time; inaccuracy and incorrectness of expression and proper historical terminology.
The final mark will be notified on “Esse3 – Computer Services” e-platform. During teachers' office hours, it will be possible to check revisions and corrections to the paper.

#1.Introduction: What is Environmental History? Reasons, scope and issues.
#2-5.Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies: 
#2. Overview: author, research method and sources, arguments and topics; 
#3. Ecologies and Societies (I): the discovery of agriculture; 
#4. Ecologies and Societies (II): technologies and diseases; 
#5. Human impact on environment and climate in a global context. Discussion.
#6-9: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind:
#6. Overview: author, research method and sources, arguments and topics;
#7. The concept of Anthropocene: meaning and elements;
#8. Natural resources and social organizations;
#9. Geobiological systems, environment and the planet in human history. #10-12: Presentation of additional sources and narrative and visual materials on environmental and climate issues from different perspectives; Active tutoring and discussion for final papers.

To achieve knowledge and skills corresponding to a minimum level of sufficiency, the student is asked to demonstrate:
1.KNOWLEDGE: 
- Knowledge of the fundamental events and major topics in environmental history.
- Knowledge of the variety of phenomena and processes in their historicity and their connections with specific contexts. 
2.SKILLS: 
- Acquisition of fundamental notions of analysis of historical development concerning the history of the environment.
3.SOFT SKILLS: 
- Ability to assess evidence and evaluate conflicting interpretations to make informed judgements of the past and better understand the present. 
- Ability to present with clarity and argumentative effectiveness, making use of appropriate terminology.

To achieve an advanced level, the student must demonstrate:
- Comprehensive and unified understanding of the course together with theoretical-methodological and interpretive skills.
- Active and confident competence in the use of disciplinary language, combined with an excellent property of expression and critical reflection.
 - Ability to autonomously reflect on the contents and develop interdisciplinary connections.