Concepts such as Social Network Analysis, spatial mapping, and connectivity offer stimulating new resources for the academic analysis of political, economic, and cultural contacts in historical contexts. The great diversity of populations, traditions and religions around the pre-modern Mediterranean provides a multi-faceted laboratory for the application of these new theories. How did networks of cities, ports, religious centers, colonies, diaspora-communities, diplomats, Grand Tour travellers, or letter-writers contribute to the construction of Mediterranean communities and worlds? What role did the sea itself play in the rise and maintenance of these networks? How and by what means can we best map these blue networks?
Blue Networks. Social Networking in the Pre-Modern Mediterranean World
This website was created in 2013 by third-year students from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, in fulfillment of the requirements for the course 'Blue Networks. Social Networking in the pre-modern Mediterranean World', the last segment of the three-year minor The Mediterranean World, offered by the History department of the Faculty of Arts.
The course began with four plenary sessions in which network theory was discussed in relation to Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Early Modern periods. After this, in-depth seminars gave students the opportunity to examine network dynamics in more detail in the respective periods, using a common theme.
The following seminars were offered:
The course began with four plenary sessions in which network theory was discussed in relation to Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Early Modern periods. After this, in-depth seminars gave students the opportunity to examine network dynamics in more detail in the respective periods, using a common theme.
The following seminars were offered:
- Ancient Networks: Religious networks and the spread of ideas - given by Dr. Christina Williamson
- Medieval Networks: Networks and Pilgrimages to Jerusalem - given by Dr. Margriet Hoogvliet
- Early Modern Networks: Merchant and Diaspora Networks in Early Modern History: the Dutch, British and German communities in Eighteenth-century Venice - given by Dr. Magnus Ressel
Course coordinators
Coordinator 2013: Dr. C.G. Williamson
Overall coordinator: Dr. M.K. Williams
Minor Mediterranean World: Prof.dr. O.M. van Nijf, Dr. B.S. Hellemans
Overall coordinator: Dr. M.K. Williams
Minor Mediterranean World: Prof.dr. O.M. van Nijf, Dr. B.S. Hellemans
Links
Historical Network Research - http://www.historicalnetworkresearch.org/
2012 course: Diplomats and double-agents - http://mediterranediplomaten.weebly.com/
University of Groningen History program - http://www.rug.nl/bachelors/history/
2012 course: Diplomats and double-agents - http://mediterranediplomaten.weebly.com/
University of Groningen History program - http://www.rug.nl/bachelors/history/
Logo image: Detail of the Tabula Peutingeriana (4th-5th c AD), showing the Eastern Mediterranean.