This course examines cases of famine from across the past two centuries. Although famine has long been conceived of as arising from "natural" disasters like drought and pest infestations, recent work has suggested that human action may be more at play than had once been thought. In this course, we examine historical cases of famine from the past two centuries to evaluate its causes and responses to it across different parts of the world. How did different societies conceive of and respond to ecological forces, and how did ecological forces change different societies? In examining several cases, we will have the opportunity to evaluate claims about famine's human and/or natural provenance, as well as ideas about famine's relationship to empire-building and state-making. To what extent have waves of hunger and starvation over the past two centuries helped to secure the division between the Global South and Global North? To work through these questions, we will have a combination of lectures, discussions, and group work. Students will be evaluated on attendance, participation, assignments, and exams.

Course Requirements:

Attendance, participation, assignments, and exams

Intended Audience:

Primarily for history students who have an interest in the Global South

Class Format:

Seminar