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)
  • Environmental Studies: One Environmental History Foundation Course (3 credits) (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)

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

Official evaluation summary

4.58 / 5

Based on 181 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Conevery B Valencius
    Fall 2026, Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.80/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Conevery B Valencius · Stokes Hall 195S MWF 01:00PM-01:50PM · Offered