HIST 2406 This Land is Your Land: U. S. Environmental History
Fulfills the US History requirement for Majors How have different environments, places, and resources shaped American history? We will survey main themes and events in the environmental history of the United States. We move from colonial-era differences in land use through contemporary environmental debates. We ask how American communities have used, defined, and fought over places and natural resources, from bison herds to nuclear stockpiles. We investigate intriguing aspects of our local Massachusetts environment: the Emerald Necklace of parks, the brass hoof prints of Harvard Square, even our nearby reservoir. No background in history is necessary to thrive in this class. Students in the sciences are welcome.
Course overview
- Department
- History
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (C) Electives: approved non-EESC courses (up to 6 credits of the 18 elective credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- History: Free history electives (two courses at the 2000 or 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- History: LAMA electives in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, or Africa (two courses at the 2000 or 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: One Environmental History Foundation Course (3 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- History: U.S. History elective (one course at the 2000 or 4000 level) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: C. Two foundation courses (6 credits) — One in the Social Sciences or Humanities (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.58 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.80 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Conevery B Valencius | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 43 of 55 |
| Fall 2024 | Conevery B Valencius | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 70 of 82 |
| Spring 2023 | Conevery B Valencius | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 43 of 49 |
| Fall 2021 | Conevery B Valencius | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 25 of 35 |