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Cross-cultural Connections, 1492-1776: Trade, Marriage and Business Networks

Vak
2009-2010

When in 1492 Columbus reached America, the whole world became a stage for contacts between different peoples, diverse cultures and competing powers. Most historians have argued that the opening of the world to global contacts did little to force individuals into cross-cultural relationships of economic or social nature.

This course aims at broadly questioning and discussing the traditional approaches to cross-cultural contacts. The final goal of the course is to bring new perspectives onto cross-cultural studies during the Early Modern period and present students with an alternative view of the post-1492 world to the one commonly accepted. Emphasis will be given to the relationships between people from different linguistic, cultural, religious and imperial backgrounds with the objective of showing how ‘borderless’ the Early Modern world was, even when state and church institutions attempted to regulate individual behaviour.

During the course of the semester, students will have the opportunity to read established authors and critical literature, work with primary sources relating to various parts of the world (Europe, the Atlantic, Asia) in different European and non-European languages, and write a research essay where theoretical approaches will be used as basis for the development of case-studies according to the individual interest and personal goals of each student.

Course load

  • Preparation and attendance seminar 90 hours

  • Final paper 190 hours

Time Table

Semester I, see timetables.

Method of Instruction

Lecture and tutorial; attendance is compulsory (see the rules and regulations of the Department of History, art. 2).

Course objectives

  • concepts, notions and perceptions of cross-cultural relations

  • historiographical knowledge of the state of the art

  • critical insights into the literature

  • use varied primary sources to build historical case-studies and re-define theoretical approaches

  • understand that the post-1492 world embodied the basic notions of globalization, being at a social, economic, political or cultural level

Required reading

Will be provided during the semester.

Examination

Term paper of ca. 7500 words.

Information

With the tutor: Dr. C.A.P. Antunes

Enrolment

Please use this form to apply for MA courses.