Department of English

This seminar will explore how early modern English contact with different parts of the non-European world ‘re-orients’ our perspective on inter-cultural relations, ‘race’ and capitalism in the period, and also allow us to re-think certain tenets of post-colonial theory, contemporaries theories of race as well Marxist theories of capitalism. The class will bring together the materials generated by travel within Europe, the enclosure of the commons, and European contact with Africa, Asia and Africa. Throughout the class we will also investigate the place of gender and sexuality in global and economic dynamics.

Requirements: Consistent attendance and seminar participation, two in class oral presentations, 1 short paper (8-10 pages) and one end of semester research paper (20+ pages)