COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE PREFIX/NUMBER: HIS 4284
COURSE TITLE: Maritime History
CONTACT INFORMATION:
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Dr. Amy Mitchell-Cook
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Email is preferred: amitchellcook@uwf.edu;
Phone: 850-857-6014
Building 50/Room 142.
Refer to the syllabus first.
The syllabus answers all questions about the mechanics of the course.
OFFICE HOURS: Monday/Wednesday 9-11am, or by appointment. I will be
online during those hours. If you need to meet with me in person, please let me
know so that I can be on campus.
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Survey of impact of oceans, rivers and other
bodies of water upon the development of mankind. Focus on settlement in maritime
areas, maritime commerce, exploration, military and naval history, social
intellectual and other activities and developments impacted or influenced by the
sea.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Define the impact of oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water on
mankind.
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Compare and contrast the histories of various maritime cultures.
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Explain the role that exploration, commerce and warfare played in
maritime history.
TOPICS COVERED:
Maritime Communities, Exploration, Commerce and Warfare
TEXTS:
Required texts:
Maritime History, Volume 1: The Age of Discovery . Malabar, Florida:
Krieger Publishing Company.
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ISBN: 9781575240138
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Available through the UWF Bookstore.
Maritime History, Volume 2: The Eighteenth Century and the Classic
Age of Sail. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company.
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ISBN: 9781575240138 (Same as above, it's a 2-volume set)
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Available through the UWF Bookstore.
Sobel, Dava. Illustrated Longitude: The Story of a Lone Genius who
Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of his Time. New York: Walker
and Co.
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ISBN: 9780802775931
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Available through the UWF Bookstore.
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Also available through Amazon.com (search books by ISBN)
Symonds, Christopher. The Civil War at Sea. Greenwood.
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ISBN: 9780275990848
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Available through the UWF Bookstore.
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Also available through Amazon.com (search
books by
ISBN)
Christopher, Emma. Slave Ship Sailors and Their Captive Cargoes; 17301807. Cambridge University Press.
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ISBN: 0521679664
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Available through the UWF Bookstore.
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Also available through Amazon.com (search books by
ISBN)
GRADING / EVALUATION:
GRADING SCALE:
A-F grades.
point scale:
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Grading Scale based on a total of 350 points, but weighted on a 100 93+ = A
90-92 = A88-89 = B+
83-87 = B
80-82 = B78-79 = C+
73-77 = C
70-72 = C68-69 = D+
60-67 = D
Below 60 F
Requirements:
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1 Examination (100 points): Due by 8/6
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Comprised of essay and identification questions
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Essays must include an introduction and a conclusion and
good detail between these two bookends.
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Identifications must address who, what, when where and
why (as appropriate) and the significance of the terms as it
relates to this course.
Note: You are expected to read critically the assigned readings from texts and web
pages looking for evidence that will inform your answers to the essay questions.
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Book Reviews(150 points): See Book Review file under Content
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Three book reviews, each worth 50 points.
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The book reviews are on: Illustrated Longitude, Slave Ship Sailors and
Civil War at Sea
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2-3 pages, double spaced.
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Examples of questions you might address:
What is the author’s purpose or goal in writing the book?
What is the author’s background and expertise that
qualifies her/him to write the book?
What is the theme of the book? Why does the author
choose the title he or she does? Why does the author choose the chapter titles?
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Critique the book:
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Again, only examples:
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Does the author achieve her/his purpose? If so,
how well
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Is the book well organized?
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Does the author make good use of maps and
illustrations?
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Would you recommend this book for this course?
Why or why not?
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You should not limit yourself to the above suggestions in
critiquing and summarizing the book. Moreover, you should not follow
the above suggestions as rigid guidelines, lest your review essay be
too rigid and mechanical.
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Your reviews should be 2-3 pages in length, typed, doublespaced, with standard fonts and margins.
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Do not front your review with a cover sheet. In the top left
corner of the first page of your paper, put the following information,
single spaced:
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Your Name
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HIS 4284
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Maritime History
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Date
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Skip one line and begin writing.
Long after you forget all the names and dates that you learned in a
history course, the writing skills remain. Therefore, the small stuff does
matter. If you are right in the small stuff, people will assume you are
right in the big stuff. That is, if you u se sound spelling, grammar and
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mechanics, people will assume the thoughts and ideas you express are
sound, even if they are not.
 Follow these rules:
 Write in third person. I assume everything is your
opinion. Do not tell me, "I think," "I believe," "I would
suggest"…
 Use a good introduction and conclusion.
 Write in formal prose: no contractions, clichés, slang.
 Be explicit, not implicit. Do not assume I understand.
Explain it to me.
 Good, introductory topic sentences organize your paper.
Choose and use them well.
 Use this rule: three-sentence minimum on paragraphs.
 Use parallel structure in lists, series and compound
structures.
 Avoid the passive voice whenever possible. We write
history in active voice, past tense. When describing the
historical writing, we use active voice, present tense. For
example, "Historian Paul Hoffman argues that the Spanish
explorer Angel de Villafañe arrived on Florida's Atlantic
coast in 1561 with no intention of settling it." Not "Florida's
Atlantic coast, arrived at by Angel de Villafañe in 1561...," as
this would be passive voice. Not "Angel de Villafane arrives
on Florida's Atlantic coast in 1561...," as this would be
present tense. We use active voice, past tense, except when
describing historical writing.
 Use spell check, edit, rewrite, proof and polish.
 I strongly urge you to consider having your book reviews
and research paper read at the UWF Writing Lab. After you
have written, proofread and revised your reviews, contact
the UWF Writing Lab at 850-474-2029 and schedule an
interactive paper-reading session.
o Bring to the Writing Lab only a proofread,
completed, neatly typed, double-spaced paper. Do not
bring a partial or unpolished paper to the Writing Lab.
With your paper, bring a copy of the above
instructions. The paper reader at the Writing Lab will
not edit your paper but, rather, will help you locate,
understand and correct improprieties in your paper.
o Do not wait until the last minute to schedule your
appointment with the Writing Lab, as paper readers
book up quickly at crunch times.
o You will be deducted 5 points for each day the
book review/research paper is late. After 5 days,
you earn half credit. There are no exceptions to
this rule.
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Discussion (50 points):
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Each reading assignment will have a discussion portion. I will provide
general questions to direct the discussion. Each of you will need
to bring something to the discussion. Feel free to add additional
comments or questions. A good discussion entry will be
thoughtful and will demonstrate that you thought critically of
the information provided. DO NOT merely repeat another
student's comments. Add something original! You must post at
least 3 times a week and you should read at least 1/2 of the other
posts.
Discussion participation is due by Sunday at midnight. I WILL be
monitoring the discussions!!!!
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Quizzes (50 points)
 Each week you will have a short quiz that will consist of short answer
responses based on that week's readings. Quizzes are not timed and
you may use your book. However, the quizzes will only be available
from Friday at midnight to Saturday at midnight. (so, you will have a
24-hour window to complete the quiz)
OTHER RULES:
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You will not automatically be withdrawn from this course. You must
withdraw from the course in order to receive a "W." I cannot assign a "W" at
the end of the semester. The system does not permit me to.
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As a policy, I do not assign incompletes ("I"). University requirements
for earning an incomplete are very strict. You must have completed 70% of
the coursework. My requirements are even stricter. I have forsaken
incompletes except in EXTREME emergency circumstances. If you stay in the
course, stay the course (i.e., complete the course).
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There are no exceptions to these rules.
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You cannot contest any grade during a 24-hour "cooling off period"
(that does not mean that you cannot ask questions pertaining to the test or
point out tabulation errors). After 24 hours, and only after 24 hours, you may
contact me regarding your grade. Do not go home and fire off an angry email
to me. If you ignore these warnings, or fail to be civil in contesting a grade,
there will be no redress. This benefits all parties involved , as it lets cooler
heads prevail. There is always time for redress. Ultimately, if you do not
agree with your final grade for the course, you can appeal your grade to a
University committee. Remember, a University is a place where we agree to
disagree with passion, but also with civility.
SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED BY STUDENT:
The ability to access web resources and utilize research and writing software. The
following plug-ins will be needed as well:
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Adobe Acrobat Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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Macromedia Flash Player:
http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version
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Academic Conduct Policy: EXPECTATIONS FOR ACADEMIC
CONDUCT:
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As members of the University of West Florida academic community, we
commit ourselves to honesty. As we strive for excellence in performance,
integrity—both personal and institutional—is our most precious asset.
Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways
which erode that integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to
tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share
community resources in ways that are responsible and that comply with
established policies of fairness. Cooperation and competition are means to
high achievement and are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is expected
unless our directive is to individual performance. We will compete
constructively and professionally for the purpose of stimulating high
performance and standards. Finally, we accept adherence to this set of
expectations for academic conduct as a condition of membership in the UWF
academic community.
PLAGIARISM POLICY:
You must know and understand the University of West Florida's Plagiarism Policy.
Please select the following linkand read The University of West Florida Plagiarism
Policy.
ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with special needs who required specific examination -related or other courserelated accommodations should contact Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student
Services (DSS), dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter
for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations
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Week 1:
o 6/23:
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From Oars to Sails: Maritime History to the Late Medieval Period.
 Read chapters 1-3, Volume I, Maritime History .
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Week 2:
o 6/28:
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READ ILLUSTRATED LONGITUDE
 Read chapters 5-10, Maritime History Volume 2
 Book Review of Longitude due on 7/4 by midnight
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Quiz due by 6/26, midnight
Discussion due 6/27 by midnight
Discussion due 7/4 by midnight
No quiz this week
Week 3:
o 7/5:
o Portuguese Expansion.
 Read chapters 4-6, Volume I, Maritime History
o Spanish Exploration and the Conquest of the Atlantic .
 Read chapters 11-13, 15-17 Volume I, Maritime History.
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Quiz due by 7/10, midnight
Discussion Due 7/1, midnight
Week 4:
o 7/12:
o READ SLAVE SHIP CARGOES
 Quiz due by 7/17 midnight
 Book Review of Slave Ship Cargoes due 7/18, midnight
 Discussion due 7/18 by midnight
Week 5:
o 7/19:
o Eighteenth century
 Read chapters 1-4, 13-15, 17, 21, 23 Volume II, Maritime
History.
 quiz due by 7/24, midnight
 Discussion due 7/25, midnight
Week 6:
o 7/26:
o Read The Civil War at Sea
 Quiz due by 7/31 by midnight
 Discussion due by 8/1 by midnight
 Book Review due by 8/1, midnight
Week 7
o 8/2
o Prepare for Final Exam, no assignment
 Finals Week:
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Final Exam will appear on 8/4 under course content.
o Final Exam Due by 8/6 by midnight