In this class we learn how to engage with primary sources and historical materials in order to ask interesting questions that will help us make sense of the past. We’ll be starting with one of the most famous volcanic eruptions of all time, Pompeii: from dinner party wares to the archives of a banking family, we will look at all sorts of materials that can help us understand the customs, culture and challenges of people in Pompeii. We’ll also learn how to date long-ago volcanic eruptions using a variety of methods, and then we will consider the role of the historian in preserving the very material that we’ve been looking at.

In the previous class we looked at volcanoes in relation to human history—and now we’ll consider the role volcanoes played in the demise of the dinosaurs. We’ll learn about the geographical records that volcanic eruptions leave, as well as how to calculate the size of a volcanic eruption based on just three variables. Finally, we will consider the nature of natural disasters and what bearing this has on the economic value of human lives.

We’ve learned in the past two classes that volcanic eruptions are quite dramatic, life-altering and sometimes world-changing events, so it’s no
wonder that they have inspired their fair share of literature and arts. In this class we will consider some of this creative work, all the way from ancient visual art to modern pop music. You’ll even have the opportunity to create something of your own for one of this class’s competitions!