History of Oceans

3 credits · Undergraduate

This course offers a global survey of the central role that the world's oceans and coasts have played in human history. It explores complex human relationships with the ocean from the global expansion of seafaring cultures in the 15th century through the growth of science, imperialism, industrialization, and globalization. It asks how, by whom, and why knowledge of the world's oceans has been created and used in the realms of science, art, politics, and culture. In addition to lectures and scholarly readings, students will be introduced to a range of primary historical sources relating to maritime cultures and ocean sciences, offering a unique perspective on the history and development of current disciplines such as navigation, oceanography, and marine biology. Thematic topics include: histories of navigation and shipbuilding, coastal communities and cultures, trade and colonialism, maritime law, naval conflict, visual art, ocean sciences, fisheries and marine animals, environmentalism, conservation, and more. FORMATS: Lecture