Fall 2021 HTS Seminar Preview

Posted March 22, 2021

There will be two seminars in Fall 2021: one, a research paper-based seminar focused on global environmental history from 1500 to the present, and the other a community engagement-based course focused on assessing assets, inequalities, and vulnerabilities to promote community resilience to disasters.

HTS 4091: Seminar in Global Issues
Wednesdays, 12:30 - 3:15 PM (Residential)
Dr. German Vergara

This course examines global environmental history from 1500 to the present. We will explore major themes in environmental history, including the extent to which humans are a part of nature; what roles the natural world has played in shaping human history; the relationship between technological and environmental change; the increasingly rapid and pervasive changes that humans have made to the global environment; the fact that humans have become one of the major forces shaping global biogeochemical processes; and the myriad ways in which human societies have understood, represented, and thought about the natural environment. To fully understand this history, the course takes an interdisciplinary approach, using insights from historians, archaeologists, geographers, and evolutionary, environmental, and climate scientists. Readings, class assignments, and discussions are geared towards helping students develop a research proposal throughout the course and write a final research paper (20-25 pages).

HTS 4814: Special Topics: Equity and Community Engagement
Mondays, 12:30 - 3:15 PM (Residential)
Dr. Allen Hyde

Inequalities between and within communities across the United States have become glaringly obvious in the last year or so due to intersecting disasters like structural racism, poverty, pollution, climate change, and COVID-19. In this course, we use a historical and sociological lens to explore community assets, vulnerabilities, and inequalities related to these intersecting disasters, as well as (respectful and appropriate) ways to engage with communities during these disastrous times. Course projects will be group community engagement activities with local partners on issues to support thriving and resilient communities and residents, as well group reports and presentations based on these activities. Students will learn how to use research skills to assess assets, inequalities, and vulnerabilities, as well as work with community partners to promote resilience. Potential partners and communities include (likely 2 of these 3 will be partners for the course): The Harambee House for environmental and racial justice on the west side of Savannah, Grove Park Foundation for gentrification and development in the Grove Park neighborhood of Atlanta, and Friends of Refugees or UPPER90 soccer for refugee youth in Clarkston, GA.