History

relating to environmental sustainability

The History Department at Rhodes University includes environmental concerns in a number of its courses. It is well known for its two-module course, 'The World Crisis and its Historical Origins', which examines environmental degradation and environmental change in depth. A second year course, 'Conflict and Contact Zones', examines the role played by settler control over water resources in the destruction of indigenous communities, and the role of environmental stress – both natural and human engendered - in shaping the history of the 'Eastern Cape frontier' region.

At third year level a course entitled 'Health, Disease and Society', has components dealing with the carbon emissions of meat production, veganism and the health of the planet. 'Men, Masculinities and Meat' includes discussion of ecofeminism, and the inter-relationship between violence against women and violence against the planet. 'Themes in South African Environmental History' addresses a number of themes, including Earth and life in Southern Africa; The Wider Context and Historiography; Indigenous Systems; Settler Systems; Fishing and the Marine Environment; Preservationism, Conservationism, Environmentalism and Ecotourism; the Impact of Climate Change on South Africa; Ecofeminism; and Environmental Activism, Legislation and Environmental Justice.

At Honours level, a course entitled 'Themes in Environmental Justice' has been developed in order to respond to the world environmental crisis by actively contributing towards replenishing our environment, rather than merely seeking solutions towards 'sustainable development'. It rests on the premise that existing definitions of environmental justice and sustainable development are flawed, largely as a result of their anthropocentricity. Participants are encouraged to develop alternative definitions which place humankind as simply one strand in a complex 'web of life' (Capra). However, as humans are the source of environmental degradation and injustice, it is up to them to find alternative strategies to rejuvenate our planet. Beyond the philosophical issues, it explores the history of environmental justice movements, and similar initiatives, both in South Africa and in other parts of the world, and interrogates the reasons for their successes and (sometimes spectacular) failures. In doing so, it raises the question of whether or not it would be more profitable to focus on small local, or regional, initiatives, rather than broader national structures. Participants are expected either to have been actively involved in organisations dealing with environmental issues, or to become active in local or national structures during the course of the module.

Explore learning opportunities: www.ru.ac.za/History

Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za