HIST 61 Britain and the Sea: A Global History

This course features the vital role of the sea in the history of the British Isles and its colonies, peoples, and diaspora from the earliest days of British seafaring exploration until our own time. It assesses the extent to which the sea served as an extensive nexus among various places and peoples rather than a vast barrier or boundary. With this in mind, it traces the dramatic arc of history during which Britain was transformed from a small cluster of insignificant islands on the margins of Europe into an important hub of global networks with profound social, economic, political and cultural influence. At the same time, the course considers the importance of the sea in bringing British subjects into closer contact with a wide variety of environments and peoples whose influences transformed British attitudes, aspirations, and practices at home and abroad. The course also explores how a dynamic relationship with the sea itself, as experienced by ordinary people of Britain and its global contacts, shaped how these people viewed themselves, their history, their surroundings, and the wider world.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:INT or SOC; WCult:W

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Class of 2023 and Before Major/Minor Dist: INTER, pre-1700/pre-1800; Class of 2024 and Beyond Major/Minor Dist: EUR, premodern.