The oceans constitute more than 70% of the planet, and have their own complications and fascinations. With each passing decade, they also become more important to our well-being. Although fully half of the world’s peoples now live within a hundred miles of an ocean, few today have a working knowledge of the sea. Yet scientists, historians, artists, and others have assembled an astonishing series of stories that cross centuries and push up to the present day. This science-forward humanities course tells some of these stories, offering up a thorough overview of how our relationships with the oceans have evolved, what elements of society are affected by its many facets, and why its cultural aspects are vital to our futures. We will also have a field trip to the Huntington to view related materials in the archives.