History 593FW - S-Food, Water, Shelter

This course explores our historic relationships with food, water, and shelter, with a strong focus on the history of science. Using a variety of sources aimed at diverse audiences we will investigate topics such as the biological and cultural heritage of food and eating, the scientific analysis of drinking water and its role in public health debate, the fallout shelter and American nuclear policy, and the mathematics of acoustics in modern architectural design. Topics will touch on environmental history, evolution, epidemiology, neuroscience, germ theory, physics, policy and politics, the role of the scientific expert, technological development, and the relationship between science and society. Significant course content and discussion of research and writing strategies will enable students to formulate, research and write a major academic paper. Students are encouraged to apply the methodologies and theories discussed in class to other topics in food, water, and shelter. Assignments will include regular short writing assignments with varying approaches, as well as a research paper. This course fulfills the Junior Writing Seminar requirement for history majors.

Open to Seniors and Juniors in History, Middle East and Judaic majors only.