136-335 A History of Nature (Science 3)

Students cannot gain credit for both this subject and 136-215/315 before 1999 or 136-035 after 1998. Only available at science third year; for all other levels see 136-035 A History of Nature. This subject is based on 136-035 but involves additional work.

Usually two second-year HPS subjects.

This subject traces some of the historical changes in scientific thought that occurred over the last 500 years, as Europeans spread out from the continent during the voyages of discovery, and discovered new frontiers that challenged their scientific and social beliefs. We will especially follow the changes in the environmental sciences that accompanied these voyages as notions of geography, natural history, evolutionary biology, geology and ecology were transformed. Case studies will include America, Australia, and other parts of the colonial world including the Pacific islands. Environmental issues ranging from introduced species, sustainability, resource management, pollution, overpopulation, environmental engineering and environmental philosophies will also be examined. Historical issues will include issues of local versus Western knowledge, fieldwork versus laboratory work, environment and race, and control over the environment. This subject should be of interest to students who would like to learn more about the origins of the environmental sciences and our on-going attempts to live within a changing environment.

Written work totalling 6000 words.

• Thomas Dunlap, Nature and the English Diaspora: Environment and History in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.. CUP, 2000.
• Richard Grove, Green Imperialism: Colonial Expansion, Tropical Island Edens and the Origins of Environmentalism, 1600-1860. Cambridge University Press, 1995.