Module manager: Professor Nir Arielli
Email: n.arielli@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
HIST3743
This module is not approved as a discovery module
How have humans sought to shape the environment around them and how have changes in the environment affected human societies? The module explores environmental history by focusing on the Middle East, with special emphasis on the period since 1900. Themes examined in the module include water management, agricultural practices, fossil fuel extraction, climate change, urban development, and nature conservation. <p>Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.</p>
The module aims to apply many of the insights developed by environmental history in recent decades to the study of the modern Middle East. It will make use of a wide range of sources, including diplomatic documents, memoirs, press reports and satellite imagery. Through the analysis of such sources, the module aims to explore some of the immense transformations the Middle East has undergone since 1900. Themes examined will include: the transformation from a region with an agricultural sector largely sustained by rainfall and traditional irrigation methods to one with elaborate and contested water management systems; and the shift from sparsely populated desert areas to one of the world’s most important energy providers.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically analyse key themes in environmental history and demonstrate their use in studying the modern Middle East;
2. Use effectively a wide array of written and visual sources to study transformations in the region;
3. Evaluate insightfully the political consequences of changes in the environment of the Middle East.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Weigh up different arguments and use different types of evidence to form arguments and ideas
5. Present complex arguments and ideas clearly, both in written and spoken form
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Seminar | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Private study hours | 355.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Essay
You will receive a 15-minute one-to-one meeting with the module tutor during semester 1 to discuss the themes you intend to cover in the essay and will receive feedback from the tutor. You will be asked to send the tutor a plan and initial list of sources before the meeting, with the tutor providing further suggestions.
Presentation
You will receive a one-to-one meeting with the module tutor during semester 2, in which you will outline your plan for the presentation and the research questions it tackles. You will receive feedback on your plan from the module tutor.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Coursework | Presentation | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Presentation: • Resit would be a recorded presentation
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 28/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team