Syllabus Maritime History and Culture Historic Seaports ·...
Transcript of Syllabus Maritime History and Culture Historic Seaports ·...
SEA Semester®: Historic Seaports of Western Europe (Summer)
www.sea.edu Maritime History and Culture -‐ 1
Maritime History and Culture CAS NS 322 (4 credits) Course Catalog Description (max. 40 words): We will examine major historical transformations in European maritime activity in the eastern North Atlantic, paying particular attention to development of fisheries, trade, and nautical technology. At each port we visit, we will explore social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural changes brought about by maritime endeavors. Instructor(s): Sea Education Association Maritime Studies Faculty Prerequisites: Admission to SEA Semester. Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. Course Philosophy and Approach:
The marine environment has had a major historical role in shaping the human experience of Western European ports. In this course we will examine the major historical transformations in European maritime activity in the eastern North Atlantic, paying particular attention to the development of fisheries (late medieval to the present), trade (early modern to modern), and nautical technology. Each port we visit will be a focal point of regional maritime history, where we will explore social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural changes. The course is divided into four units.
I. The Celtic periphery (Cork) II. Historical fisheries and cultures of western Europe (Douarnenez) III. The oceanic gyres in the development of the modern world-‐system (Lisbon) IV. Marine policy of the European Union (Cadiz)
Classes will be held at sea and in port stops in western Europe. At sea there will be a series of lectures, discussions, and student-‐led presentations. During port stops we will have organized tours and lectures. You can also explore on your own and follow up on research opportunities; the faculty will help you develop a plan to take advantage of our time in port. The course consists of 30 hours of lecture/discussion classes, 12 hours of onshore field seminars, and 4 hours of student presentations. Learning Outcomes:
1. Research methods: use multiple sources (human, material, textual, institutional, internet) to learn as much about topics as you can. 2. Experience foreign ports of call, discuss readings and test them against observations of natural landscapes, the built environment, and the knowledge and opinions of local people. 3. Practice and develop communication skills through oral presentations, both in the early stages of research where ideas can be tested, and at the conclusion of a project, where a mastery of the material can be demonstrated.
SEA Semester®: Historic Seaports of Western Europe (Summer)
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4. Develop your writing skills through writing-‐intensive projects that include revisions and research papers. 5. Participate in an engaged learning community consisting of professional educators and mariners as well as peers from different institutions of higher education 6. Foster an interdisciplinary approach to studying the relationship between people and the marine environment. Assignments and Evaluation:
You will be expected to complete three assignments in this course, two brief (3-‐4 page) research papers and a concept map. A brief description of each of these assignments is given below; further details will be given at the first class meeting. Course grades will be determined as follows:
Research Papers/Essays 50% Concept Map 25% Class Participation 25%
Written Assignments (Project 1) The Mariner’s Lexicon Choose a nautical word or set of related words that you encountered for the first time in this class, and thoroughly research its etymology. Then, in an essay of 3-‐4 pages, present your findings. What does the word mean; where does it come from; and how has it changed over the years? What interesting tidbits of additional information were you able to find out about the term? What myths or misconceptions accrue to the word? Here are some categories of nautical terms: Objects: helm, windlass, capstan, sheets, braces, yard/yardarm, lazarette, etc. Animal terms: cats, dogs, monkeys, and donkeys Maneuvers and behaviors: Aluff/aloof, caught aback, tacking, scudding, and schooning
Gendered terms: Ship’s Husband/Ship’s Wife, ships as “she”, Johnny and Jack Tar, etc. Directional terms: port/larboard/ starboard, aloft, abaft, abeam, athwart, athwartship Cultural phenomena: sea chanties, tattoos, evolving styles of dress Hazards: Lee Shore, cyclone, White Squall, “Bomb,” etc. Vessel types: brig, brigantine, ship, sloop (chaloupe), lugger (lougre), cutter (coutre), etc.
(Project 2) Historical Adaptations to the Marine Environment In an essay of approximately four pages respond to one of the following prompts:
-‐Trace the history and evolution of a particular kind of Breton craft -‐Describe the history of a particular fishery associated with this region (e.g. sardining, tuna-‐fishing, langoustiers, etc.) -‐Explain the oceanographic factors that affect biomass, and thus fisheries, in this part of the North Atlantic -‐Examine the cultural significance of this region in literature, art, or music.
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(Project 3) Assembling the Big Picture This assignment challenges you to provide as much visual information about a topic as you possibly can using only ONE POSTER. Your task is to make a “concept map,” which is a spatial diagram of any kind, that graphically describes a topic we have studied in this class—anything from the Gulf Stream, to the medieval North Sea herring fishery, to the development of the caravel. Go with a topic that interests you personally, something you would like to know more about. Concept maps take many forms, so try to find a form that diagrammatically contains your topic. For example, you might want to make a map of the North Atlantic with early fishing routes laid out in different colored markers, with captions, cartouches, and illustrations. Or you might choose to depict a historical fishery (such as those of Brittany). Your map may contain images (drawings, charts, graphs), text (captions, keys, legends) and any other forms of cartographic/diagrammatic description that you wish to employ. You will present your concept map to the entire crew. Expectations and Requirements:
• Punctual attendance is required at every class meeting. • Active participation in class discussion is expected. • Late assignment submissions are not accepted. • The policy on academic accuracy, quoted below, will be strictly followed in this class.
The papers that you submit in this course are expected to be your original work. You must take care to distinguish your own ideas and knowledge from wording or substantive information that you derive from one of your sources. The term “sources” includes not only published primary and secondary material, but also information and opinions gained directly from other people and text that you cut and paste from any site on the Internet. Cite all sources consulted, including published texts, people, and the Internet. Use the Modern Language Association or the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines for formatting your essay and citing sources. The responsibility for learning the proper forms of citation lies with you. Quotations must be placed properly within quotation marks and must be cited fully. In addition, all paraphrased material must be acknowledged completely. Whenever ideas or facts are derived from your reading and research, the sources must be indicated. (Harvard Handbook for Students, 305)
• Considerations for use of internet sources: As you browse websites, assess their usefulness very critically. Who posted the information and why? Can you trust them to be correct? Authoritative? Unbiased? (It’s okay to use a biased source as long as you incorporate it knowingly and transparently into your own work.) Keep track of good sources that might be useful for subsequent assignments, and annotate in your bibliography any sites you cite. Your annotation should include the name of the author or organization originating any material that you reference. If you can’t identify the source, don’t use it!
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Texts/Reading List (Coursepack):
Reading assignments will consist of articles, book chapters, and poems. All reading materials will be provided by the SEA faculty. You are expected to read all assigned material thoroughly and to be an active participant in class discussions, both at sea and ashore. The preliminary reading list includes:
Clover, The End of the Line, pp. 41-‐53 Crosby, Ecological Imperialism, pp. 104-‐131 Cunliffe, Facing the Sea, pp. 1-‐63, 517-‐568 Fagan, Fish on Friday, pp. 3-‐72 Roberts, The Unnatural History of the Sea, pp. 5-‐43 Ulanski, The Gulf Stream (entire) Webster, “Los Piratas” (Granta 61, Spring 1998, pp. 104-‐126) Poetry packet: « The Seafarer » (anon.); Masefield poems; Walcott, “The Sea is History”
SEA Semester®: Historic Seaports of Western Europe (Summer)
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Course Calendar:
Topic Readings/Assignments Due Week 1 (10 hours)
Program Itinerary: • In port at Cork, Ireland • Offshore: Cork to Douarnenez
Field Activities in Cork:
• Cork walking tour • Waterfront exploration
Class Meetings/Lectures/Discussions:
• Introduction to readings and course expectations; introduce Project 1
• Setting the stage for history: North Atlantic physical oceanography and geography
• Human geography of coastal western Europe
Readings: • Ulanski, The Gulf Stream • Poetry packet: “The Seafarer,”
Masefield poems • Cunliffe, Facing the Sea, pp. 1-‐57
Weeks 2 and 3 (20 hours)
Program Itinerary: • In port at Douarnenez, France • Offshore: Douarnenez to Lisbon
Field activities in Douarnenez:
• Museum Tour 1—indoors • Museum Tour 2-‐-‐waterfront • Walking Tour Douarnenez
Class Meetings/Lectures/Discussions:
• Introduce Project 2 • Historical fisheries of western Europe • Late-‐medieval/early modern European
navigation, conceptual mastery of trade routes (volta do mar, las brisas).
• Evolution of European sailing vessels
Project 1 due at start of Week 2. Readings:
• Crosby, Ecological Imperialism, pp. 104-‐131
• Cunliffe, pp. 517-‐563 • Fagan, Fish on Friday, pp. 3-‐72 • Walcott, “The Sea is History”
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Weeks 4 and 5 (16 hours)
Itinerary: • In port at Lisbon, Portugal • Offshore: Lisbon to Cadiz • In port at Cadiz, Spain
Field Activities in Lisbon:
• Walking tour of Lisbon • Tour of caravel replica; urban history,
waterfront Field Activities in Cadiz:
• Waterfront walking tour Class Meetings/Lectures/Discussions:
• EU fisheries overview and issues Presentation of Concept Maps
Project 2 due at start of Week 4. Readings:
• Clover, The End of the Line, pp. 41-‐53. • Roberts, The Unnatural History of the
Sea, pp. 5-‐43 • Webster, “Los Piratas” (Granta 61,
Spring 1998, pp. 104-‐126)
Project 3 due at end of Week 5.