At the end of this course, the students; 1) learn reading environmental texts critically and to make connections between key concepts, main themes, approaches, and methods of environmental history 2) develop research skills and evaluate critically a range of primary, secondary and tertiary sources through individual presentation work 3) understand how the world is environmentally intertwined
MODE OF DELIVERY
Face to face
PRE-REQUISITES OF THE COURSE
No
RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL PROGRAMME COMPONENT
COURSE DEFINITION
This course analyzes human interactions with nature from a historical perspective, focusing on environmental changes, the impacts of historical geography on modern organizations or social practices, the relation between industrialization and ecological awareness, and the development of green politics. The course draws on the key concepts, main themes, approaches, and methods in environmental studies to understand how the idea of nature is represented in literary and/or cultural texts.
COURSE CONTENTS
WEEK
TOPICS
1st Week
Introduction to course and course format.
2nd Week
What is Environmental History? How does it Matter in Our Life?, J. Donald Hughes, What is Environmental History, Chapter 1-2; ?What is Environmental History??
3rd Week
Visions of Nature, Andrea Borghini, ?The Idea of Nature? Philip Sutton, ?Modern Ideas of Nature and Environment,? in Nature, Environment and Society. Assignment 1: Locate a Turkish poem that centers around or explores the theme of nature, conveying thoughts and concepts related to the natural world, and the like. Prepare a response paper or share your reflections on the poem.
4th Week
Human Impact on the Environment (case study: ?Discovery? of Americas), Nathan Nunn and Nancy Qian, ?The Columbian Exchange: A History of Disease, Food, and Ideas;? Alfred W. Crosby, ?Virgin Soil Epidemics as a Factor in the Aboriginal Depopulation of America,? in Germs, Seeds, and Animals.
5th Week
Sublime Landscapes and Romantic Visions (American Context), Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature; W. Cronon, ?The View from Walden,? in Changes in the Land.
6th Week
Natural Resources Management/Preservation and Parks (American Context), David Stradling, ed., Conservation in the Progressive Era (3-41). Class discussion: Conservation in Turkey
7th Week
Landscape Ethics and Environmental (In)Justice, Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, 137-141, 237-264. Richard Schroeder et al, ?Third World Environmental Justice,? in Society and Natural Resources. Assignment 2: Report and reflect on a specific case that would be examined in the context of environmental injustice in Turkey.
8th Week
Midterm
9th Week
Animal Studies/ Do Animals Make History? Mary Norton, ?Going to the Birds: Animals as Things and Beings in Early Modernity,? in Early Modern Things; John R. McNeill, ?How the Lowly Mosquito Helped America Win Independence? (Zocalo Public Square).
10th Week
Burial Grounds as Green Urban Spaces, Grete Svensen, ?Between Romantic Historic Landscapes, Rational Management Models and Obliterations ? Urban Cemeteries as Green Memory Sites;? Hatice Yılmaz, et. al, ?The Role of Aşiyan Cemetery (İstanbul) as a Green Urban Space from an Ecological Perspective and its Importance in Urban Plant Diversity.?
11th Week
Gender Dynamics and Environmental Roles, Caroline Merchant, ?Earthcare: Women and the Environment?, Stefan L. Brandt and Ruben Cenamor, ?Introduction,? in Ecomasculinities: Negotiating Male Gender Identity in U.S. Fiction.
12th Week
Industrial Revolution/Industry, Rob White, ?The Industrial Revolution and Its Environmental Impact.? Assignment 3 (archival research): Report/reflect on a specific case in the 1990s-2000s about the industry?s environmental impact in Turkey.
13th Week
Environmentalism/Activism, Rachel Carson, Silent Spring (selections) Documentary Discussions: ?Before the Flood? (2016) dir. Fisher Stevens.
14th Week
Timothy Beaties, Green Cities of Europe. General Revision
15th Week
General Revision ? Group Project Presentations
RECOMENDED OR REQUIRED READING
Ted Steinberg, Down to Earth: Nature?s Role in American History rev. ed. (2009) William Cronon, Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England William Cronon, Under an Open Sky: Rethinking America's Western Past William Cronon, Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature William Cronon, Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West
PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Lecture,Questions/Answers,Discussion
ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA
Quantity
Percentage(%)
Mid-term
1
20
Assignment
2
10
Quiz
3
10
Project
1
20
Total(%)
60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)
60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)
40
Total(%)
100
ECTS WORKLOAD
Activities
Number
Hours
Workload
Midterm exam
1
2
2
Preparation for Quiz
3
2
6
Individual or group work
14
3
42
Preparation for Final exam
1
6
6
Course hours
14
3
42
Preparation for Midterm exam
1
6
6
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam
1
3
3
Homework
2
3
6
Project
1
5
5
Total Workload
118
Total Workload / 30
3,93
ECTS Credits of the Course
4
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
English
WORK PLACEMENT(S)
No
KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES (KLO) / MATRIX OF LEARNING OUTCOMES (LO)