Historical climate changes and their societal impacts

The climate has shown considerable variability both during ancient and more modern history of mankind, frequently with significant effects on food production and availability and, hence, on the human living conditions at large. This course will, based on the latest research, both address how the climate actually has varied at global to regional scales, and how the climate changes have directly and indirectly affected agriculture, pastoralism, transports and society at large.

Mundus Subterraneus Vesuvius, Atanasius Kirscher, 1638.

This course focuses on Europe during the past two millennia, but it also includes prehistoric times and global historical perspectives. The students will, through reading research articles, gain a deepened understanding of ongoing scientific debates about past climate changes and their societal effects. The course will furthermore address the science history of the field, from the often simplified climate determinism in the early twentieth century to the interdisciplinary discourses about human agency in relation to shifting natural conditions in the twenty-first century.

Teaching Format

The course will be taught as seminars. Attendance is obligatory. It is important to notify the teacher if you are unable to attend, so that a suitable compensatory task can be assigned. The course is taught in English.

Assessment

The course is examined through a home exam.

The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.

Cookie settings

By allowing third-party services, you accept their cookies and the use of tracking technologies necessary for them to function properly.