PIRATES, RASCALS AND SCOUNDRELS

Pirates are some of the most romanticized figures on the High Seas. Much has been written about them, from children’s bedtime stories to classic novels to scholarly works. But why are pirates so interesting and mesmerizing to audiences throughout centuries? Explore the illicit side of history by examining the role of pirates, criminal convicts and other outsiders in the creation of the Atlantic world from 1450-1850, when marginalized peoples labeled as “rebellious Rascals” counted as a silent majority. While exploring issues of class, race, gender and forced migration, you will examine how these groups navigated the difficult and complex landscapes of the Atlantic.