Humanities 454
E-mail: mark.stoll@ttu.edu Web: https://www.markstoll.net/
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30–1:45 p.m. and by appointment
Through lectures, readings, and film, the course explores two evolving topics in American history: the interrelationship and mutual impact of humans with the land and its plant and animal life; and cultural attitudes and thinking about nature and the environment.
William Cronon, Changes in the Land: Study Questions |
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring |
John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra |
Oreskes and Conway, Merchants of Doubt |
John Clayton, Natural Rivals |
Lauret Savoy, Trace |
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17.5% each |
Midterm examinations |
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25% |
Final examination |
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30% |
Six book quizzes |
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10% |
Analytical book review |
Exams: Exams will be essay exams. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of environmental history as well as to engage issues raised in lectures, discussions, and readings. The final exam will have the same format as midterms, with the addition of a cumulative section.
Book quizzes: Short quizzes given on the discussion day for each book will encourage students to have read the books and be ready to discuss them.
Makeups: Exams or quizzes missed for any reason may be made up on Makeup Day, the last Monday of the semester, in the professor’s office any time between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Papers:
Students will write an analytical book review on a book of their choice.
Instructions for the analytical book review: For
this review, students will select a book on environmental history from the
bibliography of American environmental history on the professor’s Website
(excluding edited collections of essays or books required for the course).
There is a full bibliography here:
https://www.markstoll.net/Bibliographies/US/Environmental.htm. You can also find an abridged version with only suitable books at this link: https://www.markstoll.net/HIST3327/2024/Short_Environmental.htm. Students may
select another book if the professor
approves it. The book review will be four to six pages long and have
three sections:
1. A short summary (not a table of contents or outline) of the book’s contents; this should not take more than a paragraph or two.
2. An explanation of the book’s thesis, with a discussion of how the author has supported the thesis. You can often find a statement of the book’s thesis in its preface, introduction, or conclusion. Reread these sections after you finish your book. (Ask the professor, if you have any doubts. Many students miss or confuse the thesis!)
3. Most important, an analysis of the book, including how successful it is (or is not!) in supporting its thesis, what the author’s bias (that is, its point of view) is, whether it agrees or disagrees with other class material, how it might be improved, how well it is written, and whether you agree with the book’s conclusions. Would you recommend it to others? Give examples to support each point of your analysis.
Papers will be printed in 12-point Times New Roman,
double spaced, with 1" margins all around (or 1¼" right and left
margins and 1" margins top and bottom). Do not add space between
paragraphs (and if your word-processing program does so automatically, adjust
the “Paragraph” settings). If you quote directly from the text of your book,
cite your source by adding the page number or numbers in parentheses
immediately after the quotation. For example:
The poet wrote, “That is the way the world ends” (42).
No footnotes or bibliography are necessary. Grammar and punctuation must be correct. For writing advice, the University Writing Center (paid for by your fees!) would be happy to help you polish your writing. They can help you in person or via the Internet, and can be reached through their Website: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/uwc/undergraduate/index.php.
Attendance: The professor will call roll at the beginning of each class. Students with a perfect attendance record will receive three bonus points on their final grades. Students with more than two absences will receive 1½ points off their final grades for each absence over two. The instructor will accept excuses in cases of true need if appropriately documented.
Plagiarism: Using text written by someone else (even in a close paraphrase) is academic dishonesty. It is strictly against university and departmental policy. Papers that have been plagiarized in whole or in part receive a 0 for the assignment, and a further penalty of 10 points will be deducted from the student’s final grade average.
Electronics in the Classroom: Because electronic devices distract both the student and other students around them, all electronic devices must be turned off during class time. That includes use of cell phones or laptops. Students using cell phones in class will be asked to leave and will be counted absent for the day. Laptops may be used only if the instructor gives permission, but students must use the computer for class-related activities only, such as note-taking. This means no e-mail, social media, Internet surfing, video watching, or other non-academic activities. If, during an exam, a student is seen using any electronic device, the exam will be collected immediately at that moment and receive a failing grade.
Texas Tech Policies Concerning Academic Honesty, Special Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Student Absences for Observance of Religious Holy Days, and Accommodations for Pregnant Students:
These statements can be found at this URL: <https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/RequiredSyllabusStatements.php>
AI Policy:
The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT) is not permitted in this course; therefore, any use of AI tools for work in this class may be considered a violation of Texas Tech’s Academic Integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct since the work is not your own. The use of unauthorized AI tools will result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct.
The Department of History adheres to Texas Tech University’s statement and related policies on issues of academic integrity: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/PlagiarismStatement.pdf.
Any student found to be in violation of these policies will be subject to disciplinary action at both the departmental and university levels. At the departmental level, such action may include one or more of the following:
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Date |
Assignment |
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Jan 11 |
Introduction |
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Jan 16 |
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Jan 18 |
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Jan 23 |
Reading: Cronon, Changes in the Land |
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Jan 25 |
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Jan 30 |
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Feb 1 |
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Feb 6 |
Reading: Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra |
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Feb 8 |
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Feb 13 |
First Midterm Exam |
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Feb 15 |
Transformation of the West: Spanish, Russian, and Mexican West |
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Feb 20 |
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Feb 22 |
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Feb 27 |
Reading: Clayton, Natural Rivals |
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Feb 29 |
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Mar 5 |
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Mar 7 |
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Mar 9–17 |
Spring Break |
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Mar 19 |
After the Progressives: The 1920s and the New Deal |
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Mar 21 |
New Deal conservation and wilderness protection; “Environment” and radiation fears |
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Mar 26 |
Reading: Carson, Silent Spring |
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Mar 28 |
1950s: Prosperity and pollution |
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Apr 2 |
The 1960s: Johnson and the Great Society and environmental crisis |
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Apr 4 |
Second Midterm Exam |
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Apr 9 |
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Apr 11 |
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Apr 16 |
Reading: Oreskes and Conway, Merchants of Doubt |
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Apr 18 |
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Apr 23 |
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Apr 25 |
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Apr 29 |
Makeup day |
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Apr 30 |
Reading: Savoy, Trace |
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May 6 |
Monday, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: FINAL EXAM |