皇家华人

North American environmental responses since 1600 have been conditioned by an ongoing tension听between two very different sensibilities. First is the Judeo-Christian idea that it is the right of听humankind to master and exploit the environment (to 鈥渟ubdue and replenish the earth,鈥�) an attitude听that has often had particular force in 鈥榮ettler鈥� societies. But it has always coexisted with a rival听sensibility based on reverence for nature鈥攆or awe at the natural bounty and grandeur of the North听American environment, and a commitment to forming a sustainable relationship with the natural听world. This module ranges broadly over colonial and subsequent history, from the early years of听European settlement to the 鈥榓nthropocene鈥� present, investigating the geographic expansion and听increasingly dramatic impacts of Euro-American settlement, together with a strengthening听conservationist and environmentalist sensibility. We will consult a diverse assortment of primary听sources, including speeches, paintings, fictional writing, government documents and songs, and students will have the opportunity to deploy such sources (together with one of the richest literatures听in North American historiography) in writing a dissertation. The module will be assessed by an extended coursework essay and a shorter primary document evaluation.听 Additionally, it is expected that most students on the module will also write a 10,000-word听dissertation linked to its subject matter, which will be undertaken as part of a stand-alone dissertation module for a further 30 credits.