We might view technology as the ultimate example of human ingenuity, something that sets humanity apart from the natural world. Yet, there has never been a clear-cut divide between the natural and the artificial. This course is dedicated to examining the historical relationships between natural and technological systems and how these changing relationships have been intertwined with social structures. We will pay particular attention to how environmental technological systems have been shaped by social processes and, in turn, shaped society. Lectures and discussions will draw on extensive literature in the history of technology and environmental history. Focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries, we will examine global examples that challenge our understanding of categories such as "technology," "nature," "environment," and even "society."
- Dozent: Tamar Novick