FYS 1080 GLOBAL HISTORY OF PIRACY

Piracy and other forms of maritime predation began when humans first took to the sea, became epidemic in the early modern period as empires expanded, and still exist today. This course examines plunder by sea from ancient to modern times, with special emphasis on the "Golden Age" of Atlantic piracy from 1650 to 1730. Students will study the identities and cultures of pirates and privateers, the workings of sailing ships and the lives of seafarers, the impact of empire and colonization on maritime predation, and the development and enforcement of international maritime law.