Slavery and Migrations in the Atlantic World, 1500-1850 (HIST*2340)

Code and section: HIST*2340*01

Term: Winter 2024

Details

Course Synopsis:

In this course, we are going to do a comparative examination of two streams of unfree transatlantic and transcontinental labor migrations. The first is the forced migration of enslaved Africans to the Caribbean Islands, up to the 19th–century abolition of the slave trade. The second is the indentured labor migration of Indians following the abolition of the slave trade, again, to the Caribbean Isles. The course will explore the nature of these migrations, the experiences of the migrants and the general character of the contacts between the sending and the receiving populations. It will also explore the causes and the cessation of the mobilization, movement, and utilization of these forms of transoceanic and transcontinental labor.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, student will have learned to:

• assess the local and global forces involved in the creation, distribution, maintenance and eradication of these labor types.
• apply the comparative historical method to elucidate concepts and explicate historical moments and forces relevant to the creation of the African and Indian diasporas in the Atlantic world.
• appreciate the different perspectives that inform the interpretation of historical texts and evidence regarding the use of indentured labor.
• practice critical reading, critical thinking, and critical analysis.

Prerequisites:

None.

Method of Evaluation and Weights:

40% - Four Summary Analyses of assigned weekly readings (2 topics during the first half of the semester and 2 topics during the second half). 
30% - Group Assignment –group will collaborate to write and submit a REPORT that requires analysis and interpretation of relevant primary source documents. 
30% - Final exam                              

Texts Required:

Links to all assigned course materials, including primary source documents, will be available on Course Reserve, Course Link, or will otherwise be freely available via OMNI or Google search.

*Please note: This is a preliminary website description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.

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