HIST H8011 - The Rise of the Atlantic World: 1400-1800

Module Details

Module Code: HIST H8011
Full Title: The Rise of the Atlantic World: 1400-1800
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Annaleigh Margey
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module comprises a survey course which aims to introduce students to the historical development of the early modern Atlantic World. The sixteenth and seventeenth century mark an era of exploration and cultural exchange within the Atlantic World. As European countries including Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Britain; began to broaden their imperial and trade networks, Europeans arrived in the New World for the first time. Furthermore, Europe’s historical interaction with Africa gave rise to the integration of Africa into this wider Atlantic sphere for the first time. The course begins with an introduction to what Atlantic history really is, before moving to examine the creation of European colonies in south and north America. The latter part of the course takes a more thematic approach, exploring peoples, trade, and war in the Atlantic World. This element of the course also examines the Slave Trade that developed in the Atlantic World.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Establish the major events in the history of the early modern Atlantic World
MLO2 Discuss the importance of major events and themes to the development of an Atlantic World in the early modern period.
MLO3 Interpret differing and conflicting arguments through close interrogation of primary sources, including written and visual sources, and the historiography of the period.
MLO4 Analyse the impact of discovery and exploration on the shaping of the history of the early modern Atlantic World
MLO5 Evaluate the place of Ireland in the early modern Atlantic World
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Module Summary
This module comprises a survey course which aims to introduce students to the historical development of the early modern Atlantic World. The sixteenth and seventeenth century mark an era of exploration and cultural exchange within the Atlantic World. As European countries including Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Britain; began to broaden their imperial and trade networks, Europeans arrived in the New World for the first time. Furthermore, Europe’s historical interaction with Africa gave rise to the integration of Africa into this wider Atlantic sphere for the first time. The course begins with an introduction to what Atlantic history really is, before moving to examine the creation of European colonies in South and North America. The latter part of the course takes a more thematic approach, exploring peoples, trade, and war in the Atlantic World. This element of the course also examines the slave trade that developed in the Atlantic World.
Indicative Content
• What is Atlantic World History? • America, Africa and Europe in the pre-Columbus era • The explorations of Columbus, and his role in determining the Atlantic World • Portuguese, Spanish and the British exploration and colonisation • Portugal, Spain and South America • Rehearsal for Empire: Ireland and the English • Colonial British America • Later 17th century colonies in the Americas: The role of the Dutch West India Company • Africa and the Atlantic • Indigenous peoples • Economic activity and exploitation: trade in the Atlantic World • The rise of slavery in the Atlantic World • The Atlantic World at War • Revolutions of the Atlantic World – The case of Britain, America, France and Spain
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work50.00%
Final Examination50.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to complete an essay of 2500 words. Students will be given the topic or a choice of topics in the first week of the semester.
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to complete an essay of 2,500 words. Students will be given the topic or a choice of topics in the first week of the semester.
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
n/a
Reassessment Requirement
A repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Nicholas Canny and Philip Morgan (eds). (2011), The Oxford Handbook of the Atlantic World, Oxford University Press, Oxford, [ISBN: 978019921087].
  • David Armitage and Michael J. Braddick. (2009), The British Atlantic World 1500-1800, Palgrave Macmillian, Basingstoke.
  • Nicholas Canny. (2001), The Oxford History of the British Empire, Vol. 1, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Thomas Benjamin. (2009), The Atlantic World: Europeans, Africans, Indians and their shared history, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Karen Ordhal Kupperman. (2012), The Atlantic in World History, Oxford University Press, New York.
  • Bernard Bailyn. (2005), Atlantic History: concept and contours, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
  • John Huxtable Elliott. (2007), Empires of the Atlantic World: Britain and Spain in America, 1492- 1830, Yale University Press, London.
  • Nicholas Canny and Anthony Pagden. (1987), Colonial Identity in the Atlantic World, Princeton University Press, Princeton.
  • Douglas Egerton, Alison Games, Jane Landers, Kris Lane and Donald Wright. (2007), Atlantic World: a history, 1400-1888, Harlan Davidson, Wheelin, IL..
  • John Thornton. (1992), Africa and Africans in the making of the Atlantic world, 1400-1680, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  • Jack Greene and Philip Morgan. Atlantic History: a critical reappraisal, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • D’Maris Coffman, Adrian Leonard and William O’Reilly. (2015), The Atlantic World, Routledge, Abingdon.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Nicholas Canny. (1999), Writing Atlantic History; or reconfiguring the history of colonial British America, The Journal of American History, 86, 3, p.1093-1114.
  • Alison Games. (2006), 'Atlantic History: Definitions, Challenges, and Opportunities, American Historical Review, 111, 3, p.741-757.
  • David Armitage. (1999), Greater Britain: a useful category of historical analysis?, The American Historical Review, 104, 2, p.427-445.
Other Resources