This course explores the fascinating history of water bodies and aquatic life across the globe, focusing on how different communities have tried to “tame” the waters and harness fisheries resources. Although water management projects were often driven by economic goals, they have always carried deep political, cultural, and social meanings. Large-scale projects like dams, canals, and hydropower plants have had lasting impacts on ecosystems, often with unexpected consequences. Through a mix of novels, films, photographs, oral histories, and memoirs, we will uncover how colonialism and imperial science influenced fishing technology and transformed aquatic ecologies from the Americas to Asia. How did the Industrial Revolution and capitalism fuel a fisheries crisis in the West by the late 19th century? What economic, political, and technological factors spurred the growth of aquaculture? We will also look at fisheries policies and regulations, studying how they affected the lives and livelihoods of fishing communities. But it is not just about people - this course highlights the agency of aquatic life itself, from whales and corals to sea monsters and walruses, in shaping global history. We will even dive into the culinary side of this story, from seafood traditions to the rise of convenience foods like fish sticks as a reflection of changing economies and food cultures. All course materials will be uploaded in Brightspace. Assessments will include a film reflection, discussion posts, primary source analysis, quizzes and a final paper.