The period 1780-1830 not only was an era of major change for many European countries, but also for the colonial society in the Indies. The old system of the VOC gave way to a new system that finally resulted in the colonial state. In this phase of transition we also encounter a short period of what is called the English interregnum (1811-1816). In this seminar we shall try to discover how the successive governments attempted to get an administrative grip on the society in the Indies. Main questions in this seminar: What kinds of knowledge systems were established and what was the role and meaning of these knowledge systems for the successive governments? How did the new rulers use the knowledge systems of the former governments? What role played information and information gathering for the successive regimes? How did these regimes try to penetrate in the local society? What information on the local society was regarded as essential for the governments in London and Den Haag? How was the transfer of information organized during this period? How do the archives mirror these processes of transition and state creation? By analyzing the knowledge systems, records, archives and instructions that were given to the early 19th century colonial civil servants, we will attempt to discover what goes on behind the scenes during the creation of knowledge systems and archives. The student independently goes in search of the institutional background of archives creation in the early 19th century archives.
Rooster
Semester I, see timetables.
Onderwijsvorm
Research Seminar; attendance is compulsory ( see the rules and regulations of the Department of History, art. 2).
Leerdoelen
The first aim of this research seminar is to gain insight into the role, significance and purposes of information gathering, archives creation and knowledge systems in periods of regime change. The second aim is to discover how the process of information-management was organized in the early 19th century colonial society an how archives were created. The third aim is to get accustomed to an institutional approach of archives.
Literatuur
*_Encountering a common past in Asia. A Dutch-Asian multilateral Educational and Historical research Project_ (paper 2007) (students are required to read this text before the start of the seminar). *Parts from: N.S. Efthymiou, De organisatie van regelgeving voor Nederlands Oost Indië: Stelsels en opvattingen (1602-1942) *Parts from M.C. Ricklefs, A History of modern Indonesia since c. 1200 (Stanford 2001, 3rd edition) *Parts from C.A. Bayly, Birth of the modern world 1780-1914 (oxford 2004) *Parts from C. Scott, Seeing like a state. How certain schemes to improve the human condition have failed (London an new Haven 1998)
Toetsing
*Presentation & participation (20%) *paper (80%)
Informatie
With the tutor: K.J.P.F.M.Jeurgens@let.leidenuniv.nl.
Blackboard/webpagina
Some additional course materials will be available by backboard
Overzicht
The first and the second lectures are a theoretical introduction based on the studied literature. The third lecture will be an introduction in archival research, the next lectures are mainly presentations and discussion based on the research results in the archives.
Opmerkingen
Reading of Dutch 19th century handwriting is required.
Most lectures will be given in the National Archives in The Hague
Aanmeldingen Cursussen, Werkgroepen en Tentamens
MA course enrolment forms can be downloaded here.