Course Overview

This course is an introduction to New England?s maritime history, with secondary emphasis on its relationship to the coastal ecosystem. The course moves chronologically from the earliest fishing and shipbuilding settlements in the 17th century to the establishment of dominant maritime industries in the 19th century. We will follow the capital generated by maritime industries as some of it moved ashore to finance the industrial revolution and the opening of the West, and follow a diminishing maritime culture through the Second World War. As we proceed, we also discuss the evolving relationship between our maritime economy and culture and the coastal environment. No pre-requisites. Offered annually, Spring Semesters.

Field trips explore the rich resources of regional institutions such as the Peabody museum, Salem, MA; the USS Constitution, Boston, MA; and Mystic Seaport, CT.