The aim of this course is to examine the historical development of human societies' interactions with nature and to analyse how environmental changes are intertwined with social, economic, cultural and political processes. It is aimed to provide students with a historical awareness of the environment and the ability to evaluate the human-nature relationship with a multi-layered, interdisciplinary approach. In addition, discussing the historical origins of environmental crises and developing the competence to approach today's environmental problems from a historical perspective are among the main objectives of the course.

The course begins with the birth and development of environmental history as a discipline; how human-nature relations have evolved historically, from antiquity to the industrial revolution, modernity and the climate crisis. Topics such as the emergence of agriculture, deforestation, water use, animal-human relations, famines and ecological disasters are examined in historical context. Examples such as environmental management in the Ottoman Empire, management of natural resources and relations with local ecosystems are evaluated in the context of local history. Contemporary issues such as the effects of the Industrial Revolution on nature, environmental colonialism, urbanisation, the history of environmental movements and global climate change are discussed from a historical perspective. The course aims to contribute students to understand the historical dynamics of environmental changes, to read environmental problems as an extension of the past and to develop responsible approaches to the future.