Course Catalogue

Global Histories of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Indenture HIST5164

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course examines the interconnected histories of forced migration and coerced labour across African societies, the Caribbean and South American colonies, and the Indian Ocean world. Engaging critically with Atlantic and Indian Ocean historiography, it foregrounds Global South perspectives on gender, culture, and resistance. Structured around workshop-style seminars, the course emphasizes hands-on engagement with material culture, archival sources, and quantitative datasets.

Timetable

1 x 2hr seminar weekly over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus. [This is one of the MSc options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.]

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College Level

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Blog (1,000 words) 30%

■ Essay (2,500 words) 70%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Engage students in current debates on the history of involuntary labour migrations;

■ Explore concepts and methodologies used in the study of slavery and forced migration;

■ Investigate the causes, organisation and outcomes of the overseas movement of enslaved and indentured workers;

■ Enable students to strengthen disciplinary and transferable skills as independent researchers through critical engagement with primary and secondary source materials, discussion and written output in academic and public registers.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Appraise current trends in the historiography of involuntary migration;

2. Evaluate different conceptual and methodological approaches to the study of enslavement and forced migration;

3. Compose an original research question and sound historical arguments based on independent research using specialised secondary literature and relevant primary sources with accurate and verifiable references;

4. Communicate research findings clearly and effectively to designated audiences.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions