Environmental History: Past, Present, and Future with John McNeill
Episode 39 - December 6, 2020
John McNeill (Georgetown University) speaks with Merle and Lee about the changes to environmental and disease history over the last half century. After laying out his definition of environmental history, John discusses the background of the field, then reflects on how different chronological and geographical fields use sources along with how this may change moving forward. Following the previous episode, the question of agency of non-humans is raised again. The conversation touches upon other issues as well – collaboration, how it works and how it may change in the discipline of history. The question of engaging public audiences for example through writing for non-specialists, or creating podcasts and documentaries.
Further Reading
- J.R. McNeill, “Peak Document and the Future of History” American Historical Review (2020) 125:1-19
- An abbreviated video lecture of the above “Peak Document and the Future of History”
- J.R McNeill, “The State of the Field of Environmental History” Annual Review of Environment and Resources (2010) 35: 345-74.
- Jan Ooosthoek, "What Is Environmental History"
- Douglas R. Weiner, "A Death-Defying Attempt to Articulate a Coherent Definition of Environmental History" Environmental History, (2005) 10, 3: 404–420
- Environmental history websites
Our Guest
John McNeill,
University Professor, Georgetown University.