This is a survey course. In-depth examination of particular topics will be done by students in their individual research. We will use only one printed textbook but will supplement that with documentaries and fictionalized Hollywood portrayals of piracy. Students will write a paper that will be posted to the on-line History Engine. Additionally, students will give a 10-minute oral presentation about the topic they chose. At the conclusion of this course students should be able to articulate orally, and in writing, the main themes of the development of maritime piracy. Students should be able to critically examine the issues raised by the author of our text and the instructor. Work with primary documents and scholarly articles will help students better understand the historian’s craft. The work of the historian is usually done through gathering evidence, analysis, writing, argument formation, and debate. These are the skills we will be working on in this class.