An environmental history of the world: People and our planet

In this unit, you will explore the history of the world through the lens of the environment. How have environmental factors shaped the histories of human societies? How have human activities affected and transformed the environment over time? And how have humans responded to environmental change in the past? This unit offers a radically different, more interdisciplinary perspective for understanding the history of our planet. Rather than treating the environment as a backdrop to human history, you will explore the deep interconnections between human societies and the environment from the Ancient World to the present day.  

Topics covered include how changes in climate and weather have shaped the history of various societies; the role of plants, animals, and microbes in the global expansion of empires; the relationship between the environment, industrialisation, and capitalism; sustainable and unsustainable forms of resource extraction; how animals have responded to human activities like hunting; the rise of environmental movements globally; and the contemporary climate crisis. This unit does not require any prior experience studying History. You will be supported to apply existing skills and knowledge to the interdisciplinary field of global environmental history and to develop historical research and writing skills.