The Portuguese Empire: Centres and Peripheries (15th-18th Century) - 1st semester
Code
722051289
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
História
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
João Paulo Oliveira e Costa
Weekly hours
3 letivas + 1 tutorial
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Students are expected to:
a) Understand the changing configuration of the Portuguese Empire, between the 15th and the 18th centuries
b) Recognize the different nature of the territories under Portuguese rule, and reflect critically on the existence of different models of political and administrative organization within the Portuguese Empire.
c) Identify the processes of political communication between centers and peripheries within the Portuguese Empire.
d) Acquire knowledge of the most influential historiographical approaches of the studied subjects;
e) Apply knowledge critically and be able to present both in writing and orally the results of an investigation based on primary sources.
Prerequisites
None
Subject matter
I. The coordinating center
1.1. Expansion and centralization
1.2. Imperial designs
1.3. The political decision-making bodies
1.4. The management of overseas business
1.5. The logistics organization
II. The overseas peripheries
2.1. Forms of jurisdictional integration
2.2. Administrative solutions
2.3. Capital, governments and courts
2.4. Informal powers
2.5. Clientage networks
Bibliography
BETHENCOURT, Francisco, «Configurações Políticas e Poderes Locais», in A Expansão Marítima Portuguesa, 1400-1800, dir. Francisco Bethencourt e Diogo Ramada Curto, Lisboa, Edições 70, 2010, pp. 207-264.
COSTA, João Paulo Oliveira e, «A formação do aparelho central da administração ultramarina portuguesa no século XV», in Anais de História de Além-Mar, vol. 2, Lisboa, CHAM, 2001, pp. 87-114.
HESPANHA, António Manuel e Maria Catarina Santos, «Os Poderes num Império Oceânico», in História de Portugal, dir. José Mattoso, vol. IV, O Antigo Regime (1620-1807), coor. António Manuel Hespanha, s.l., Círculo de Leitores, 1993, pp. 395-413.
Hespanha, António Manuel, «A Constituição do Império Português. Revisão de alguns enviesamentos correntes» in João Fragoso, Maria Fernanda Bicalho e Maria de Fátima Gouvêa (eds.), O Antigo Regime nos Trópicos. A dinâmica imperial portuguesa (séculos XVI-XVIII), Rio de Janeiro, Civilização Brasileira, 2001, pp. 163-188.
Teaching method
Lectures play an important role in this course, though not exclusively. Students will be asked to engage actively during classes and encouraged to debate topics of the course or to comment.
Evaluation method
Written essay (60%)
Conference report (20%)
Attendance and participation in practical classes (20%)