EESC 1721 Take Me to the River: The History and Science of U.S. Waterways

This is a COMPLEX PROBLEM course and is open to FRESHMEN only. You must enroll in both EESC1721 and HIST1737. From colonial grist mills to modern megadams, from Civil War battles of ironclad steamboats to contemporary battles over environmental legislation, rivers course with the lifeblood of American history. In this course, we will use telling moments in the history of U.S. waterways to explore how Americans have encountered, managed, and lived next to rivers. We will also build from these episodes to investigate the science of hydrology, watersheds, climate change, and sediment management. As we trace the role of waterways in U.S. policy-making, energy production, and governance, we will also pay attention to how waters touch the American spirit -- through imagination, exploration, baptism, and the Blues.

Course overview

Department
Earth and Environmental Sciences
School
MCAS
Credits
6
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Periodically

Catalog details

Satisfies core
Cultural Diversity,History II,Natural Science

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • University Core: Cultural Diversity (All undergraduates)
  • University Core: History II (All undergraduates)
  • University Core: Natural Science (All undergraduates)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Spring 2027 · Noah P Snyder, Conevery B Valencius · Stokes Hall 195S TuTh 03:00PM-04:15PM · Offered
  • Section 02
    Spring 2027 · Kathryn Bruce · Hayden Hall Room 215 M 12:00 Noon-01:15PM · Offered
  • Section 03
    Spring 2027 · Kathryn Bruce · Hayden Hall Room 215 M 01:30PM-02:45PM · Offered
  • Section 04
    Spring 2027 · Kathryn Bruce · Hayden Hall Room 215 W 12:00 Noon-01:15PM · Offered
  • Section 05
    Spring 2027 · Kathryn Bruce · Hayden Hall Room 215 W 01:30PM-02:45PM · Offered
  • Section 06
    Spring 2027 · Noah P Snyder, Conevery B Valencius · Stokes Hall 195S Tu 06:00PM-07:15PM · Offered