Humanity always has sought to control nature through prayer, inventions, or new knowledge. This course examines early medicine, astrology, and exploration within diverse cultures and civilizations, then focuses on how inventions and special knowledge, often "borrowed" from other cultures, enabled Europe's exploration, imperialism, and quest to control nature, societies and economies from 1400 to 1900. The quest for control had many unforeseen consequences: environmental damage, new human rights issues, and the emergence of racism. (Formerly HST 561).