Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ARC5003

 
TITLE Power Projection and the Maritime World

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Classics and Archaeology

 
DESCRIPTION The first part of this unit focuses on the duality of early modern seafaring. Firstly, one may consider naval and corsairing activities as an extension of ideological and cultural confrontations elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Secondly, one must also consider the role of ships and shipping in the connectivity in a politically and economically fragmented Mediterranean.

Exploration voyages will be covered so as to shed light on the establishment of trading outposts and the subsequent colonial expansion of European powers. For the modern period, focus will shift towards the influence of Atlantic maritime powers (Britain) in the Mediterranean region and its effects on aspects such as trade and naval strategy. Other topics covered in this section include the introduction of steam propulsion and the opening of the Suez Canal. This course will also survey the effect of advances in ship technology on the expansion of global warfare.

Study-unit Aims:

- To provide students with a thorough knowledge of the history of seafaring;
- To train students in the use of maritime archaeology in the field of maritime history;
- To present both archaeological and historical sources essential for the understanding of world exploration, seaborne trade/commerce, markets, piracy and naval warfare through time.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- draw upon a detailed knowledge of various economic factors that drive the maritime world;
- to critically analyse and assess theories and debates relating to the sea's role in the expansion of world powers;
- critically analyse and assess theories and debates relating to the sea's role in the projection of power;
- identify the role of seaborne commerce in world's economy through time;
- demonstrate the ability to utilise a host of different types of historical/archaeological material as well as other evidence.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- to employ independent and critical research, study and thought;
- to apply key historical research skills;
- to write both clearly and scientifically;
- to present findings through oral presentations;
- to work with a variety of historical sources.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- *Braudel, F. (1972), The Mediterranean and Mediterranean World In The Age of Philip II, (Fontana Press) (2 volumes).(DE80 .B7713 1995)
- Earle, P. (1970) Corsairs of Malta and Barbary (London). (DT201 .E27)
- *Fusaro, M., Heywood, C. and Omri, M.S. (2010) Trade and Cultural Exchange in the Early Modern Mediterranean: Braudel’s maritime legacy (Tauris Academic Studies). (HE872.7 .T73)
- Gardiner, R. (ed.) (1995) The Age of the Galley Mediterranean Oared Vessels since pre-classical Times (London: Conway Maritime Press). (VM144 .A33).
- Gardiner, R. and Greenhill, B. (Eds) (2000) The Advent of Steam: The Merchant Steamship Before 1900 (Conway's History of the Ship).
- Guilmartin, J.F., (1974) Gunpowder and Galleys. Changes in Technology and Mediterranean Warfare at Sea in the C16th. (Cambridge).
- Martin, C. & Parker, G. (1988) The Spanish Armada (Mandolin).
- Lavery, B. (Ed.) (2000) The Line of Battle: Sailing Warships, 1650-1840 (Conway's History of the Ship).
- Palmer, M. (2005) Command at Sea: Naval Command and Control since the Sixteenth Century (Harvard University Press).
- Pryor, J.H. (1988) Geography, Technology and War: Studies in the Maritime History of the Mediterranean 649-1571 (Cambridge). (VK55 .P78)
- *Robinson, D. and Wilson, A. (Eds) (2011) Maritime archaeology and ancient trade (Oxford centre for maritime archaeology). (CC77.U5 M3)

Publications marked * signify main readings.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (40 Minutes) SEM1 No 30%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Alexis Catsambis
Timothy Gambin
Liam Gauci

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit