Investigates the dominant critical perspectives about three of the most fundamental constituents of human civilization: culture, environment and technology. The attention to the interaction and interdependence between environment and technologies (old and new) has been recently rising. Brings in culture--from the biological to the mammal--as another node to the approach, helping students realize the co-existence of these aspects in our life, to see how these topics interact, and the profound influence they have on contemporary issues. After introducing various notions of culture, environment and technology, draws on concrete, hands-on and interactive case studies that epitomize how culture, environment and technology have been connected throughout human history and, indeed, have shaped the modern, technologized and globalized world in which humans and their nonhuman planet mates live today.

Brings historical, humanistic and transdisciplinary understanding to the intersections of culture, technology and environment by focusing on the four ancient elements of earth, air, fire and water: how they have been understood, how they interact with human societies, how they are manipulated by technology, and how they embody the multiple environmental crises of our time. Examines each element in terms of both past representations and present preoccupations, in accordance with the humanities ideal of learning from the past in order to understand the present and create a better future. Deploys many different media throughout the course.

Labs critically engage with grand social challenges using a collaborative, interdisciplinary and hands-on inquiry process. Undergraduate and graduate student, faculty and outside collaborators work together as an intergenerational team to design and conduct original investigations. The teams then synthesize their work, respond to review feedback, and develop a means to publicly share their proposed solution(s) based on their work.

Structured practical experience following a contract or plan, supervised by faculty and practitioners.