History Happenings

Spring Registration is Open - Consider These Options!

The Other Europe

Prof. Sarah Zarrow / MWF 1:00-2:20pm / HIST 297A, CRN 23842 

Where is Eastern Europe? What is Eastern Europe? And why should we care? This class surveys modern Eastern European history, starting in the age of absolutist empires & move into examining the development of nations & nationalist ideologies, migration & emigration, the First World War, the interwar period, the Second World War & the Holocaust, the postwar era, transitions from Communist & Socialist rule. We'll end by considering whether the idea of Eastern Europe has any value today. Rather than focusing on the nations of Eastern Europe as fixed & absolute categories, we will devote particular attention to national/ethnic/religious minorities & Eastern Europe’s diversity.

Environmental History of U.S. Agriculture

Prof. Mart Stewart / TR 12:00-1:50pm / HIST 451, CRN 23522

This seminar reviews the transnational history of U.S. agriculture in terms of the environmental opportunities, interactions, & consequences of different kinds of farming in U.S. history. Students will complete a research project of their choosing & experts will zoom in from time to time. Topics include: Indigenous farming & the impact of exotic organisms; Soil skimming & sustainability in New England farming; Emergence & continued existence of plantation agriculture (& its relationship to climate change); Agrarian ideal & its relationship to different kinds of farming; the history of plantations; Emergence of industrial farming; Green Revolution & the globalization of American agriculture; Resurgence of the agrarian ideal in the organic & sustainability movement of the 1960s/1970s; Deep history of compost making; Environmental components of farm-to-table & slow food movements; Environmental history of chickens; Urban farming & the environmental movement; & Performances of environmental health & sanctity in current food production politics.

History of the Metis People of Canada

Prof. Michael Hughes / MWF 2:30-3:50pm / HIST 390, CRN 23182 (or C/AM 305, CRN 23458)

This class surveys the history of the Métis, an Indigenous people, between the 18th century and 21st centuries. It examines their social and economic origins in the 18th century, the emergence of Métis nationalism in the 19th century, the formation of distinct Métis communities across North America, resistance to the expansion of the Canadian state, marginalization by the settler colonial governments, and revitalization of Métis politics and culture in the 20th century. The course concludes with contemporary issues regarding Métis identity and recognition.

Pacific Northwest Energy History

Prof. Jen Seltz / TR 10-11:50am / HIST 197C, CRN 23217

This course examines how struggles over energy development and transport have shaped the history of the Pacific Northwest and the Salish Sea over the past 150 years. Topics include Native sovereignty and energy development; the impact of 1970s energy crises and environmental activism on the region; and political struggles over crossborder energy transport and infrastructure from 19th-century coal to 20th and 21st-century hydroelectricity, oil, and gas. This class fulfills the HUM GUR requirement.

Cascadia International Women's Festival

Thursday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. the Pickford Film Center

Early bird All Access Passes are on sale now through March 15. All Access Passes include general admission with priority seating to all in person festival film screenings at the Pickford Film Center; general admission to the Honored Guest film, interview and artisan dessert reception at the Mount Baker Theatre; the Opening Night Party, the Directors’ Party and access to all the films in the online festival May 1-11. Due to limited capacity at the Mount Baker Theatre passes must be purchased prior to Tuesday, April 15 to include admission to the Honored Guest film, interview and reception with this year's Honored Guest. We look forward to seeing you at the festival!