Middlebury

ENVS 0444

The New West

The New West: From Reagan to Burning Man
The U.S. West since 1976 has been transformed by economic, social, political, and environmental forces. Immigration, amenity tourism, climate change, globalization, technology, political change, and economic booms and busts have remade a region once defined by isolated rural communities, extractive industries, “natural landscapes,” and filmmakers’ imaginations. In this course we will draw from history and politics to make sense of conflicts over public lands, water, fire, energy, Native sovereignty, racial inequality, rural gentrification, urbanization, and sprawl. Short papers will culminate in a historical policy brief on current challenges in the West. (ENVS 0211 or ENVS 0215 or HIST 0216) 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
Environmental Studies
Department:
Prog in Environmental Studies
Division:
Interdisciplinary
Requirements Fulfilled:
AMR NOR
Equivalent Courses:
HIST 0444
INTL 0444

Sections in Spring 2013, School Abroad Japan (Tokyo)