HIST 319

American Environmental History

This course examines the past interactions between human society and the natural world in what is now the United States. Issues to be discussed include Native American resource management, the ecological effects of the arrival of Europeans in the "New World," resource exploitation in the industrial era, cultural constructions of nature, and the preservation, conservation, and environmental movements. In the context of the historical influence of nature upon human society and the impact of human society upon nature, the course covers broad political, social, and cultural patterns and conflicts. In the same context, it also includes multicultural interpretations of the California and Sierra Nevada foothill experience which may entail field trips.

Units: 3.0

Hours: 54 hours LEC