This introductory course focuses on human environment interaction and the role of environmental factors in shaping of world history from the early medieval period, roughly 1000 C.E, to the present day. Beginning with the idea of environmental history and its broad themes, including climate, volcanic eruptions, landscape, plants, crops, animals, insects, disease, pestilence, energy, and technology, the course will enable students not only to understand the complex relationship between human societies and non-human species but also the changing nature and structure of this relationship throughout history.