Dissertation Title
"Waste, Water and Chinese Immigrants in Post-Gold Rush California"
(Supervised by Prof. Dr. Uwe Lübken)
Abstract
My study investigates the environmental footprint of Chinese immigrants in California from 1860s to 1880s. I look into their environmental practices on water management, waste water treatment in agriculture and laundry business, as well as the cultural and political factors, water laws, traditional philosophies behind them. I ask further the social and cultural role of water during the integration of Chinese immigrants in the society of the US.