2025
Expansion and Colonial Dynamics
Name: Expansion and Colonial Dynamics
Code: HIS02398L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
History
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
In this course, students will analyze critically the European processes of expansion, settlement, and colonization in the different areas of the world. Subsequently, students will reflect upon the pioneering role of Portugal in the European expansionist plans outside Europe. Hence, the methodology aims at providing students with the tools to conduct independent and original research on these topics, thus opening the doors for their future academic and professional growth.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
1. Understand and contextualize in a diachronic perspective European colonization.
2. Perform a comparative analysis of the main European empires of the Modern Era (15th-18th centuries)
3. Identify strategic, political, economical, and religious system of European colonization
4. Analyze the social, cultural, and economic impacts of European colonization in the colonies as well as in Europe
5. Perform independent research using a wide-spectrum of approaches across timeframes
6. Relate the history of Portugal to European and world history with a special focus on their diverse approaches
7. Prepare and share syntheses of the main topics
8. Recognize the intercultural dynamics of the cultures in the colonized world
9. See that learners work independently and within a humanistic perspective
2. Perform a comparative analysis of the main European empires of the Modern Era (15th-18th centuries)
3. Identify strategic, political, economical, and religious system of European colonization
4. Analyze the social, cultural, and economic impacts of European colonization in the colonies as well as in Europe
5. Perform independent research using a wide-spectrum of approaches across timeframes
6. Relate the history of Portugal to European and world history with a special focus on their diverse approaches
7. Prepare and share syntheses of the main topics
8. Recognize the intercultural dynamics of the cultures in the colonized world
9. See that learners work independently and within a humanistic perspective
Contents
1. Background to the expansion process
1.1. Geopolitical, economic, and religious factors that led to the European expansion: the Crusades and trade routes
1.2. The dawn of the Portuguese and Spanish expansion: discoveries and first maritime routes
2. Concepts and Evolutions of the Empires: The Evolution of the concepts of Colony, Colonialism, and Imperialism
2.1. First colonial experience: the Atlantic islands, North Africa, and the South Atlantic
3. Models of Colonialism and National Empires
3.1. Comparing colonial empires: Portugal, Spain, England, France, and Holland
3.2. Colonial strategies and types of domination
4. Social Dynamics
4.1. The role of the colonial agents: missionaries, traders, military, administrators, and exiled/deportees
4.2. Slavery and transatlantic slave Trade in Europe, Africa, and the Americas
5. Social and Cultural Transformations
5.1. Ethnic and cultural assimilation; religious syncretism
1.1. Geopolitical, economic, and religious factors that led to the European expansion: the Crusades and trade routes
1.2. The dawn of the Portuguese and Spanish expansion: discoveries and first maritime routes
2. Concepts and Evolutions of the Empires: The Evolution of the concepts of Colony, Colonialism, and Imperialism
2.1. First colonial experience: the Atlantic islands, North Africa, and the South Atlantic
3. Models of Colonialism and National Empires
3.1. Comparing colonial empires: Portugal, Spain, England, France, and Holland
3.2. Colonial strategies and types of domination
4. Social Dynamics
4.1. The role of the colonial agents: missionaries, traders, military, administrators, and exiled/deportees
4.2. Slavery and transatlantic slave Trade in Europe, Africa, and the Americas
5. Social and Cultural Transformations
5.1. Ethnic and cultural assimilation; religious syncretism
Teaching Methods
The methodological approach will be theoretical-practical. Analytical thought as well as active participation of learners will be at the center of the analyses. Hence, students will be equipped to analyze original documents as well as the impact of colonialism
Each session will be focusef on a specific theme with the aid of texts, historical maps, original sources, and other materials
Digital/interactive sources (on-line historical maps and digital archives of the original sources) will provide students with a unique opportunity to have a hands-on approach to the issues at hand while also offering the tools to perform a critical analysis of the historical data
The main focus will be the critical analysis of the social, cultural, and economic impacts of colonization (colonized and colonizers)
Hands-on activities/visits to archives/museums will also provide students with a unique experience while also give them a broader view of the issues
Each session will be focusef on a specific theme with the aid of texts, historical maps, original sources, and other materials
Digital/interactive sources (on-line historical maps and digital archives of the original sources) will provide students with a unique opportunity to have a hands-on approach to the issues at hand while also offering the tools to perform a critical analysis of the historical data
The main focus will be the critical analysis of the social, cultural, and economic impacts of colonization (colonized and colonizers)
Hands-on activities/visits to archives/museums will also provide students with a unique experience while also give them a broader view of the issues
Assessment
1. Continuous Evaluation
The evaluation will consist of two mandatory parts, each worth 50%
1st Part: Written Work (50%)
The written work consists of a critical analysis of a text that the instructor will provide to the students at the beginning of the semester (c. 3000 words) which will be due during the last week of April. This work will be preceded by a small oral presentation so the instructor can guide the students and recommend changes
2nd Part: Final Written Exam (50%)
The final written exam will be during the penultimate or last week of the semester
2. Final Exam
The final exam will determine the final grade for the course. Students with a failing grade in the course can opt for taking the final exam as well as other exams during the semester (special and extra, as per the RAUE, articles 110 and 111) by taking a written exam that will determine the total final grade
The evaluation will consist of two mandatory parts, each worth 50%
1st Part: Written Work (50%)
The written work consists of a critical analysis of a text that the instructor will provide to the students at the beginning of the semester (c. 3000 words) which will be due during the last week of April. This work will be preceded by a small oral presentation so the instructor can guide the students and recommend changes
2nd Part: Final Written Exam (50%)
The final written exam will be during the penultimate or last week of the semester
2. Final Exam
The final exam will determine the final grade for the course. Students with a failing grade in the course can opt for taking the final exam as well as other exams during the semester (special and extra, as per the RAUE, articles 110 and 111) by taking a written exam that will determine the total final grade
Teaching Staff
- Maria de Deus Beites Manso [responsible]
Certificações
