This course combines archaeological and historical sources to examine the development of shipbuilding, seafaring practices, exploration, waterborne trade and economic systems, and naval warfare in the Western Hemisphere (the Americas) from the fifteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. Particular emphasis is given to the study of shipwrecks that illuminate change and continuity in the maritime sphere.

Seminar Presentations and Discussions (50% of final grade).

During the semester each student will be assigned several topics to research and present in class. Presentations should be about 40-45 minutes in length to leave some time for discussion. Please prepare and distribute a bibliography of the sources consulted for your seminar presentation. Use of visual aids such as Powerpoint™ projections, interpretive dances, and declamatory arm waving is strongly encouraged.

Seminar presentations will be graded on the basis of their thoroughness, organization, and clarity, as well as the quality of illustrations (where appropriate) and the distribution of a bibliography of the sources consulted in preparing the presentation.

Term Paper (50% of final grade).

In addition, each student is to conduct research on some aspect of New World seafaring and prepare a professional, publishable-quality term paper on the subject. The first step, after selecting a topic and researching sources, will be to prepare a three page term paper proposal modeled on a thesis proposal; in the proposal you will state the nature and importance of the topic, discuss previous research and potential sources, outline your plan for analysis of the data, and summarize the significance of the proposed research. A bibliography of primary and secondary sources that you intend to use in preparing the term paper must be included. The term paper proposal is due on Week 3.

The term paper should be in the range of 15 to 25 pages in length (12-point font, double spaced); 20 pages is generally a good length. Be sure the paper follows the requirements provided in my “Guidelines for Writing Your Term Paper” handout. The paper is to be submitted on or before Week 15. Submitting your paper after this date will likely result in a lower grade.

My paper grading criteria are as follows: (“A”) research, analysis, writing, and citation are professional and with minimal editing the paper could be published as a journal article or book chapter; (“B”) paper is good in most respects, but due to shortcomings in one or more areas would require significant editing before publication would be possible; (“C”) paper is at lowest levels of acceptability, and would require major new research or re-writing to achieve publishable standards; (“D”) paper falls below lowest levels of acceptability in research, analysis, writing, and citation; (“F”) paper fails to meet all professional standards, or the professor has found evidence of plagiarism, or the assignment was never completed.

Please note: I read term papers carefully, which means I read them slowly. It is possible that I may not be able to read your paper and grade it before the deadline to turn in grades; if this occurs you will receive a temporary “Incomplete” until the paper is graded and I can submit a “Change of Grade” form. Do not be alarmed by an “Incomplete” unless you failed to turn in your paper. If you need to get the final grade on your transcript to meet a deadline (for job or graduate school applications, for example), let me know.

George F. Bass, ed.  Ships and Shipwrecks of the Americas.  London: Thames and Hudson, 1988. Copies of this book are on reserve in the Nautical Library. Other short readings are listed on the syllabus, and copies of those books or off-prints will be placed on NAP Library reserve.