HIST2406 · History
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Fulfills the US History requirement for Majors How have different environments, places, and resources shaped American history? We will survey main themes and events in the environmental history of the United States. We move from colonial-era differences in land use through contemporary environmental debates. We ask how American communities have used, defined, and fought over places and natural resources, from bison herds to nuclear stockpiles. We investigate intriguing aspects of our local Massachusetts environment: the Emerald Necklace of parks, the brass hoof prints of Harvard Square, even our nearby reservoir. No background in history is necessary to thrive in this class. Students in the sciences are welcome.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.7 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.5 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.6 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.5 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~3.5
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect only recovered evaluations connected to this course.
Student perspective
Recovered and new anonymous comments are shown as written and may reflect different course formats.
Dec 18, 2025 · Historical comment
Professor Valencius is very kind, thoughtful, and cares about her students so much. Not only is she organized but she is very passionate about the subject she teaches. Make sure to attend lectures, do the readings, and go to office hours because she will give you a lot of good advice.
Dec 15, 2024 · Historical comment
Phenomenal professor, very passionate and knowledgable, interesting material, only downside to the class is the range of material. Lots of readings every week and exams are lowk difficult. You gotta love what you're learning to succeed
Across time
Section-level results available in the recovered archive.
Fall 2024
1 sectionSpring 2023
1 sectionFall 2021
1 section