History 258-B: Special Topic in U.S. History: Firewood to Fusion: Energy History of the United States

"Energy" is a complex category with a deep and complex history, including fuels and technologies, uses and values, choices and implications. How did people of the past think about light, heat, transportation, forces of production? What kind of work produced cordwood, kerosene, coal, copper wire? When does this look like a national story, and when a tale of private "enterprise"? Does a long history of energy help us situate questions of our own times? Focusing on the U.S. from the late 18th century to the early 21st, we will explore such themes as "nature" and "resources"; options, choices, and whose choices; geographies of transmission; commodification, cost, and whose cost; networks of use, purpose, and power. This course counts for History: EnvS, Modern, Cultures/Ideas, Social Justice; and for EnvS social science requirement. Applies toward the North American/United States geographical area for the History (Global) major.