How Interactions Between Plants and Animals Shaped Life on Earth over the Eons




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ClassGraphic The constant evolution of plants allowed many of our favorite prehistoric creatures to develop, by oxygenating the atmosphere, coaxing animals onto land, and forming the forests that shaped our ancestors’ anatomy. It is impossible to understand the history of our planet, or our future, without them. Our text is When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution's Greatest Romance by Riley Black (St Martin’s Press 2025), the winner of a Friend of Darwin Award in 2025. Each chapter stars plants and animals, underscoring how the interactions between species have shaped our world. The author brings readers back in time to prehistoric seas, swamps, forests, and savannas where critical moments in plant evolution unfolded. We explore how fossil plants allow us to touch the lost worlds of billions of years ago. Each petrified leaf and root shows us that dinosaurs, saber-toothed cats, and even humans would not exist without the evolutionary innovations of their leafy counterparts. Join us to explore the crucial role of plants in Earth's evolution, connecting ancient history to present day. We complement our text by selective supplementary materials. Participants are expected to lead a session and be actively engaged in discussion.
 

Class Details

14 Session(s)
Weekly - Thu

Location
500 Davis Center

Instructor
Multiple

Tuition: 

$0.00

Email olli@northwestern.edu for more information. Send to Friend »

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
3/5/2026 - 6/4/2026 Weekly - Thu 09:45 AM - 11:45 AM Evanston, 500 Davis Center  Map Brenda Russell  ; John Doherty 

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