La Serenissima: Environmental Explorations of (and in) Venice
Seminar
19.01.2024 – 21.01.2024
Location: Studienhaus Schönwag
Venice has struggled with water ever since it was founded just over 1600 years ago. This seminar will look at Venice from an environmental history perspecive. We will discuss past, present, and future challenges of livelihoods and ecologies in a city that has been called “romanic” and “beautiful” but also faces challenges through pollution, ship traffic, over-tourism, and climate change.
Some Overarching Seminar Questions:
Some of the questions that we will explore are the following: How and why has the element that defines Venice, water, been both desirable and undesirable over the course of history? How is the global (climate change, exploitation of resources etc.) reflected in the local? How has Venice fed its people over time? What role has nature vs. culture played in history? Is Venice sustainable? What might the future of this hydropolis be considering its past?
Requirements:
All students are required to join the preparatory class at Studienhaus Schönwag on 19–21 January and the field course in Venice 3–8 March.
Readings:
Students are required to read and engage with texts in preparation of the second seminar meeting at Studienhaus Schönwag (19–21 January 2024).
Downloads
- Program for the Venedig Seminar at Schönwag (140 KByte)