The Role of Environment in the Collapse of Ancient Societies

History
Ruth Fauman-Fichman
Fall 05

Complex societies have come and gone. This course will explore how management (and mismanagement) of the environment interacted with political and cultural processes to contribute to the collapse of ancient societies. Taking an anthropological approach that includes geography, ecology, history and archaeology, the course will examine case studies from ancient complex societies of the Americas, Asia and the Near East. Students will look at the role of the environment together with technology, political action, religion, culture, migration and individual agency in shaping the long term trajectories of collapse. Drawing on these themes, discussion will critically consider current world conditions for similarities and analogies to the past.