Gary Reger		Office: 405 Seabury  Hours: 8-10 am, Mondays
Phone: x2393		Email: gary.reger@mail.trincoll.edu
WWW: http://shakti.trincoll.edu/~greger/index.html

In 1949 Fernand Braudel published his now classic book, translated into English under the title The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II. Braudel argued that the Mediterranean regions formed a large-scale unity, whose history could only be understood by looking at the factors that tied them together and changed only over very long periods of time. In this seminar we will explore whether, and if so in what ways, it is historically useful to treat the Mediterranean and its shoreline countries as a unity. Our exploartion will stretch from the Roman empire to the twentieth century, considering the Mediterranean from political, social, economic, and anthropological points of view.

Fernand Braudel, The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II (New York 1972).

Richard Fletcher, The Quest for El Cid (Oxford 1989).

Kevin Greene, The Archaeology of the Roman Economy (Berkeley 1986).

S. Goitein, A Mediterranean Society (Berkeley 1966). [on reserve in library]

M. Herzfeld, The Poetics of Manhood. Contest and Identity in a Cretan Mountain Village (Princeton 1985).

There are only three assignments in this class: do the reading, participate in discussions, and produce a 40-50 pp. final paper. The reading assignments are laid out below in the schedule of classes. What follows are the due dates for the various stages of the research project.

1. Identify a topic. Every student will schedule a meeting with me during the week between Sept. 10 and 13. Come prepared to identify a topic for your research paper.

2. Write a research proposal of 5-6 pp. and compile a bibliography of primary source material. These two items are due together on Sept. 23. Bring enough copies to distribute one to every member of the class. The proposal should consist of a brief explanation of the topic; the historical question(s) that will be explored; the source material that will be used; the methodology to be employed; the expected direction and character of the argument; a brief discussion of earlier secondary literature.

3. Critique and defend proposal. On Sept. 30 we will discuss each proposal and its bibliography. Come prepared to offer a critique and suggestions for changes or improvements to others' papers, and to explain, amplify, defend, or change your own. For the critique, consider the conceptualization of the topic; the character and interest of the historical question(s) addressed; the methodology employed; the coherence of the argument; the relation of this proposed research to earlier research in the topic.

4. Secondary bibliographic essay. In 8-10 pp., discuss critically and analytically the major earlier approaches to your topic. Due Oct. 21.

5. Preliminary presentation and draft chapter. On Oct. 28, each student will give a preliminary oral presentation based on a draft first chapter of 15-18 pp. that is due that same day.

6. Revised first chapter and preliminary second chapter. Due Nov. 18. By now you should have written roughly 30-35 pp. in first or revised form (plus your bibliographic essay).

7. Paper presentation. On Dec. 2 or 9, a lengthy (roughly 40-min.), complete presentation of your topic, evidence, arguments, and conclusion.

8. Final paper. The final paper of 40-50 pp. is due on Dec. 9.

	Sept. 9. Introduction.

	Sept. 16. Library orientation: research tools.

	Sept. 23. Braudel discussion (read pp. 1-352).

	Sept. 30. Topic papers and primary bibliography discussion.

	Oct. 7. Greene discussion (read all).

	Oct. 14. No class: Reading Week.

	Oct. 21. Goitein discussion (read vol. 1, pp. 29-74, 352-373).

	Oct. 28. Free week. WORK!

	Nov. 4. Preliminary presentations.

	Nov. 21. Fletcher discussion.

	Nov. 18. Free week. WORK!

	Nov. 25. Herzfeld discussion.

	Dec. 2. Final presentations I.

	Dec. 9. Final presentations II.