Science, Environment and European Coloni

Science and colonialism were driving forces in the making of the global and interconnected world where we live today. The history of “Western science” is deeply intertwined with Europe’s encounter with the world, as colonialism provided the laboratory for disciplines such as geography, natural history, medicine, and anthropology. The challenges and opportunities of new natural environments shaped the way Europeans explored, analyzed, and studied nature and society. The circulation of specimens, data, and scientific expertise made colonial governance possible. This course will introduce students to major themes regarding the relationship between science, colonial environments and European empires. Students will develop reading skills and will explore key topics in early and late modern European history, the history of science, and environmental history.