Eighteenth-Century Environmental Humanities

This book explores the intersection of eighteenth-century studies and the environmental humanities, highlighting themes such as climate change, new materialisms, and green utopianism. It reflects on pedagogical concerns and features the voices of early-career scholars.

Format: Hardback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

This groundbreaking new volume brings together eighteenth-century studies and the environmental humanities, showcasing the immense potential for collaboration between these fields. In a comprehensive eleven-chapter exploration, contributors delve into timely themes and topics including climate change, new materialisms, the blue humanities, indigeneity and decoloniality, and green utopianism. Each chapter also reflects on pedagogical considerations, posing the question: How do we teach eighteenth-century environmental humanities? With a special focus on the voices of early-career scholars who offer fresh perspectives, these essays highlight vital and innovative trends that can enrich both disciplines, making them invaluable resources for classroom use.

The volume opens with an introductory chapter that provides a theoretical framework for the intersection of eighteenth-century studies and the environmental humanities. The chapter highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research and the need to bridge the gap between different academic disciplines to better understand the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

The subsequent chapters are organized into four sections, each addressing a specific theme within the broader field of eighteenth-century environmental humanities. The first section explores the concept of climate change and its impact on eighteenth-century society. Contributors examine how climate change shaped political, social, and cultural processes, as well as how individuals and communities responded to these changes. The second section examines the role of new materialisms in eighteenth-century environmental thought. Contributors explore how new scientific discoveries and technological advancements influenced the way people perceived the natural world and how they conceptualized environmental issues. The third section explores the blue humanities, a emerging field that focuses on the relationship between humans and the ocean. Contributors examine how the ocean has been depicted in eighteenth-century literature, art, and culture, as well as how it has shaped human experiences and perceptions of the natural world. The fourth section explores the theme of indigeneity and decoloniality in eighteenth-century environmental thought. Contributors examine how indigenous peoples have been marginalized and oppressed in the past and how they are now seeking to reclaim their land and resources.

Throughout the volume, contributors draw on a wide range of eighteenth-century texts, including literature, art, philosophy, and scientific writings. The essays are written in a clear and accessible style, making them accessible to students and scholars from a variety of backgrounds.

In addition to its academic value, this volume also has practical implications for teaching eighteenth-century environmental humanities. The chapters provide valuable insights into how to incorporate environmental themes and topics into undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as how to engage students with interdisciplinary research and critical thinking skills.

Overall, this groundbreaking new volume is a must-read for anyone interested in eighteenth-century studies, the environmental humanities, or interdisciplinary research. It offers a wealth of insights and perspectives that will enrich our understanding of the past and inspire us to address the pressing environmental challenges of our present and future.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781684484294