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Insect Histories: Bugs that Made the Modern World
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:29:12
Abstract
The seminar explores insects as historical actors and their diverse interactions with human societies over time and space. It offers an overview of recent approaches in environmental history and multispecies ethnography while providing an analytical framework to understand global processes of natural resource exploitation, knowledge formation, and imperialism.
Objective
The objective is to analyze human-insect interactions by identifying key historical factors (economic, scientific, political). Students will integrate current frameworks in the study of environmental history through the combination of primary sources and interdisciplinary research. They will develop skills rooted in their interest in insects and learn to translate them into feedback to peers.
Content
Scholars typically approach Nature-related histories by focusing on environmental change, the commodification of resources, and the legacy of natural history collections. Examples of this approach include studies on deforestation, dam constructions, the rubber boom, and the colonial history of European museums. In contrast to these commonly explored topics, insects are often underrepresented in historical research, both as living creatures and metaphors. Addressing this gap, the seminar explores human-insect interactions from a global historical perspective between 1600 and 2000. This exploration encompasses a critical and relational understanding of the history of the scientific study of insects (entomology) and the processes of imperial expansion and global territorialization. To achieve this, students will learn how human-insect interactions led to radical transformations in diverse environments, reflecting a particular modern conception of nature influenced by control anxieties related to economic profit and tropical diseases. Moreover, students will examine how ways of knowing about insects and the environment were influenced by broader correlated economic and imperial factors. Focusing on insect (hi)stories, the aim of this seminar is to apply new methodologies for non-human agencies and source analysis on both micro and macro scales in global and environmental histories.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 40
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Insect Histories: Bugs that Made the Modern World |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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Doctorate Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (More Information at: )