HISTORY345: North American Environmental History
Overview
North American Environmental History satisfies one of the two elective requirements for the certificate, pertaining to the social and environmental pillars. This course taught the art of crafting narratives as a means to portray historical narratives as they relate to landscapes and the environment. Student's engaged with readings and lectures addressing key legislation and events in North American environmental history, wrote a culminating narrative describing a location of their choice, and developed a recovery narrative aimed at averting the climate crisis.
Key Skills:
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Land-Based Research
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Historical Analysis
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Narrative Writing
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Environmental Policy Analysis
Connection to Environmental Justice
North America's environmental history is riddled with injustices and uncomfortable moments. This course emphasized that we cannot fully understand our history and progress into the future without fully addressing the injustices faced by native and black communities at the hands of the U.S. Government. When we truthfully dress the injustices of the past and understand the implications they have on modern day, we can begin to educate others and heal together as a community.