EH5106 Environmental History: Nature and the Western World (1800-2000)

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module description

Environmental history is the study of human interaction with the natural world through time. Prior to the nineteenth century, nature was seen as an integral part of history. Similarly, this module encourages students to view nature not as a static backdrop, but as a vital element of history. Focusing principally upon Britain and North America from the eighteenth century to present, this module explores the history of human interaction with the natural world. It seeks to understand how politics and religious beliefs have influenced answers to persistent questions - such as, How old is the earth? What is an animal? What is a human? What is life? Moreover, the complex mixture of global exploration and trade, agricultural and industrial innovation, and burgeoning population will be assessed in relation to concerns over the degradation of the environment.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE MO3314 OR TAKE EH5007

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

128

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

EH5106 Environmental History: Nature and the Western World (1800-2000)

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module description

Environmental history is the study of human interaction with the natural world through time. Prior to the nineteenth century, nature was seen as an integral part of history. Similarly, this module encourages students to view nature not as a static backdrop, but as a vital element of history. Focusing principally upon Britain and North America from the eighteenth century to present, this module explores the history of human interaction with the natural world. It seeks to understand how politics and religious beliefs have influenced answers to persistent questions - such as, How old is the earth? What is an animal? What is a human? What is life? Moreover, the complex mixture of global exploration and trade, agricultural and industrial innovation, and burgeoning population will be assessed in relation to concerns over the degradation of the environment.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE MO3314 OR TAKE EH5007

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

128

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.