HY255/EV275
S. A. Ashley
Block 6, 2002
The course deals with the ways Europeans thought about and dealt with nature from the Renaissance to modern times. In that half a millennium, how people saw the natural world and their place within it shifted as a result of technological, political, economic, and cultural changes. We will examine, in particular, patterns of exploitation of nature, the connections between the natural and the supernatural, and conceptions of nature as arcadia, inferno, wilderness, and refuge.
The work involves discussion of common readings and a research paper. You should do the required reading and come prepared to work through questions together in class. The paper (10pp) should deal with a subject not directly covered in class. In addition to reading and the paper, you post the answers to questions (indicated by an *) on the reading and discussion to the course's electronic forum. A final examination concludes the course.
In a discussion-based class, attendance enhances your performance. (The reverse also holds true.)
REQUIRED READING:
| Gilgamesh | |
| Merchant | The Death of Nature |
| Thomas | Man and the Natural World |
| Calvino | Marcovaldo |
| Selected Readings | |
| COURSE WORK: |
| Mon., Feb, 18 | Introduction: sight and insight |
| Tues., Feb. 19 a&b |
Cosmos, creation, chaos |
| Gilgamesh; Genesis (Bks. 1-9) | |
| Wed., Feb. 20 | Understanding nature* |
| Hesiod Work and Days; Aristotle; Pliny | |
| Thurs., Feb. 21 | Agricultural Revolution: nature subdued |
| Merchant: 1-4; Bestiary |
Renaissance, Age of Discovery, Scientific Revolution: 1500-1700
| Fri., Feb. 22 a.m.& p.m. |
The "discovery" of nature* | |
| Petrarch; da Vinci |
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| Mon., Feb. 25 | The Scientific Revolution and the conquest of the New World | |
| Crosby: "Ecological Imperialism" Merchant: 7-10, 12 Epilogue [ch. 8, can omit 194-205]; Paper Proposals Due |
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| Tues., Feb. 26 Wed., Feb. 27 |
Adjusting the lens: seeing nature in new ways* | |
| Discuss Merchant; Thomas: I-II | ||
| Thurs., Feb. 28 | Capitalism: the limits of control | |
| Thomas: I-II | ||
| Fri., Mar. 1 a & b |
Living in and with nature | |
| Thomas: finish | ||
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Industrialization, Urbanization, and Mass Society, 1700-present |
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Mon. Mar. 4 The industrial landscape
tba
"The Wild Child" (p.m.)
Tues., Mar. 5 The laws of nature*
Darwin
(ch. XV, Recapitulation and Conclusion)
| Wed., Mar. 6 a.m. & p.m. |
Uses of nature: middle class playgrounds | |
| Whymper; Burke | ||
| Thurs., Mar. 7 | Wilderness on display | |
Fri., Mar. 8 |
Papers Due | |
| Mon., Mar. 11 | The wild within | |
| Tues., Mar. 12 a & b |
Arcadia under assault* | |
| Calvino | ||
| Wed., Mar. 13 | Exam | |