Syllabus for Current Debates and Themes in Global Environmental History

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the students will:

- be able to demonstrate an overall knowledge of environmental history as a field

- exemplify and broadly account for the potential and problems related to Environmental History as field

- be able to argument and debate the role of Environmental History

- demonstrate an ability to associate contemporary and current debates with historical questions and historical sciences

- be able to frame environmental historical research in contemporary and current debates

- be able to lead and chair seminars.

Content

As a result of the global challenges of sustainability and environmental change Environmental History has taken on a new role, directly addressing issues of sustainability today. In a series of lectures, researchers from different parts of the world, present their views of what environmental history is and what questions it can ask. Lecturers will also present case study examples of socio-environmental dynamics and how these relationships have been investigated in different parts of the world.

Debates as to the role of environmental history in addressing issues of importance today and in shaping and reshaping public debate will also be part of the course. The course will consist of lectures in different core areas of environmental history including the academic fields of natural science, humanities and social sciences.

Instruction

The course is interdisciplinary and will include students from many disciplines. The course will consist of lectures from different areas within the field of environmental history encompassing the full width of this broad field. Representatives from outside academia and/or related to policy, societal planning and media will give perspectives on public debates and the potential role of environmental historians.

Active participation in lectures and seminars is expected and required to pass the course. Students will chair sessions and seminars. The course is obligatory in the Master's programme of Global Environmental History but is open to students from other Master,s programmes.

The course will be given in English.

Assessment

Examination will include active participation in lectures and fulfiling seminar assignments. Seminars are examinatory. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system.