Imperialism to Globalism: Europe and the World, 1860-1970

Overview

Overview

This introductory lecture-based module introduces students to the crux of environmental histories: the material world. In one way or another, environmental historians are always tracing what Ellen Stroud called the ‘dirt’, i.e. the material stuff of human daily life. Even when environmental historians are interested in ideas and ideologies – as is often the case – their approach always situates cognition and culture within the material ecologies.

From considering historical sources as bodies (or surviving material structures) to the discussion about the role of location as a shaper and driver of history, this module presents environmental history as an approach to the past, including traditional historical topics such as revolution, imperialism and social hierarchies.

A core concern is to make students comfortable with the idea that material features – soils, landforms, rivers, climates, flora, fauna and the very body of humans – are as much historical as any philosophical or political principle, thus preparing them to engage with the wealth of environmental history modules offered later in the History course.

Time, Date, and Place

This lecture-only module comprises of one lecture per week over one term, commencing the week beginning 19 January 2026. Lectures take place on the Trinity Campus.