The Anthropocene -- How Science Is Shaking up 20th Century World History
In the 20th century humans began shaping the planet and biosphere with ever-increasing speed, so what difference has it made and what should humans do about it?
Edward Simmons
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(692)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Intermediate Level
When science and history join forces, the 20th century is recognized as the period when human beings overpowered nature in shaping the planet. This course is a brief introduction to the Big History view (a combination of historical and scientific studies) of the 20th century as (1) the beginning of the Anthropocene, (2) the beginning of the Great Acceleration stage of the Anthropocene in the 1950s, and (3) the emergence of environmental responses beginning in the 1950s and corresponding societal resistance. These events lead to (4) emerging religious and ethical responses which will be described. Students will have an opportunity to express their views on values supporting and opposing results of the Anthropocene. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to a framework for understanding our current period in wolrd history that rises above usual political history, to point to challenges that will shape their lifetimes, and encourage them to become informed citizens who understand the ethical challenges of a society built on unrelenting innovation. They will participate in a poll about ethical values that are being reconsidered because of the Anthropocene. Information will be provided in a slide program with internet links for further inquiry. The course will discuss the content and graphics in the slides & they will be given to students at the end to encourage further exploration. True success of the course will depend on whether students become interested enough to use the slides as the starting point for a learning adventure. Resources: Graphics and content will be drawn from the following Internet sites and links will be shared in a slide show: (1) https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/79793/city-lights-of-africa-europe-and-the-middle-east; (2) https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/; (3) https://www.nasa.gov/content/blue-marble-image-of-the-earth-from-apollo-17; (4) https://humanorigins.si.edu/research/age-humans-evolutionary-perspectives-anthropocene; (5) https://humanorigins.si.edu/sites/default/files/measures%20of%20the%20anthropocene.jpg; (6) https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/; and (7) https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Learning Goals
Students will learn (1) how the industrial revolution was powered by innovation and use of fossil fuels; (2) how major planetary changes began to happen in the 1900s; (3) the processes that began to accelerate in the 1950s and their consequences; (4) how an environmental movement brought public attention to the Anthropocene and began changing political and ethical values amidst growing political and economic resistance; and (5) to compare their own views with the ethical standards seeking to limit negative impacts of the Anthropocene.
Other Details
Supply List
Two handouts will be provided as reference materials: an agenda and a listing of terms and definitions.
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
692reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a Vanderbilt Ph.D. who has spent a lifetime learning and teaching world history, especially in connection with science, archaeology, Bible studies, and philosophy. Being drafted (Vietnam period) just as I started my college teaching career shoved me in unexpected directions and into a state job teaching interpersonal skills, leadership, and all kinds of management skills to top people in Georgia's largest agency and being shared often with many other agencies. In retirement I returned to my first love 10 years ago.
When teaching college freshmen or my teenage grandchildren any subject, my priorities always include how to go about learning, thinking, and reading critically. Finding one's own way is essential -- and it always involves making work into something fun and interesting. Having children and grandchildren with ADHD, I have also learned that every student must find their own path no matter what sort of label others want to put on them. I also believe teachers must be examples of important values -- compassion, tolerance, and appropriate tough-mindedness.
The courses I teach will usually involve issues from American History or World History that are important for understanding what is happening in the world today. An important function of history is to help people understand current events and thus to grow into informed citizens.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$25
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 127 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
1-6 learners per class
