Course Description

An overview of ancient climate change and environmental catastrophes, with emphasis on methods and important case studies.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will complete an independent research project on a topic of their own choosing. This project will require (1) extensive research beyond the readings assigned for undergraduates, (2) analysis of trends in contemporary scholarship, and (3) an original argument based on integration and synthesis of a wide range of primary and secondary material. Graduate students will also prepare an in-class presentation of their research and lead the rest of the class in discussion.

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Athena Title

Climate Change/Catastrophes

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Prerequisite

CLAS 1000 or CLAS 1000E or CLAS 1000H or CLAS 1010 or CLAS 1010E or CLAS 1010H or CLAS 1020 or CLAS 1020E or CLAS 1020H or CLAS 3000 or CLAS 3010 or CLAS(ANTH) 3015 or CLAS(ANTH) 3015E or CLAS 3030 or CLAS 3040 or CLAS3050 or permission of department

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will evaluate the major types of evidence and scientific proxies available for reconstruction of historical climates and catastrophes in the premodern Mediterranean.
• Students will analyze major themes and scholarly approaches in the history of Mediterranean climate and catastrophes.
• Students will plan and construct a research-based final paper and communicate findings orally and in writing.

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Topical Outline

• I. Scientific and historical methods for environmental history
• II. Maps and Oikoumene: Conceptions of the environment in Antiquity
• III. Climate change and response in Antiquity
• IV. Volcanos in Antiquity
• V. Earthquakes in Antiquity
• VI. Rivers in Antiquity
• VII. Floods and irrigated landscapes in Antiquity
• VIII. Urban water systems in Antiquity
• IX. Food systems and famine in Antiquity
• X. Plague in Antiquity
• XI. Environmental impacts of war in Antiquity
• XII. Resource extraction and pollution in Antiquity

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General Education Core

CORE V: Social Sciences

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Institutional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.

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