General Information
| Course Code | R_PHIL |
|---|---|
| Credits | 6 EC |
| Period | P4+5 |
| Course Level | 300 |
| Language of Tuition | English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Law |
| Course Coordinator | prof. dr. L.H.J. Sicking |
| Examiner | prof. dr. L.H.J. Sicking |
| Teaching Staff | |
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Part of programme(s)
Bachelor
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Practical Information
You need to register for this course yourself. The (de)registration deadlines can be found on VU.nl
| Teaching Methods | Study Group, Lecture |
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Course Objective
Insight in the historical development of both piracy and public international law and their connections.
Awareness of the relevance of pre-modern developments for the understanding of present-day international relations.
Ability to do bibliographical research.
Ability to use published primary sources next to secondary literature.
Ability to write a research-based paper departing from a central question.
Eindtermen: 2-3, 5-6, 9-10, 15-20, 22.
Course Content
This course examines the historical and legal dimensions of piracy and maritime conflict from a global and long-term perspective. Particular attention is given to piracy’s unique status in international law, especially the principle of universal jurisdiction, which permits any state to seize pirate vessels on the high seas and prosecute those responsible. Contemporary examples, including Somali and West African piracy, are considered alongside earlier historical precedents.
The course explores the central role of piracy in pre-modern maritime trade, when commerce and predation were closely intertwined and rulers frequently recruited admirals from among experienced pirates and privateers. Students will investigate how princes, states, and cities distinguished between legitimate and illegitimate violence at sea, and how maritime disputes were managed both between political powers and among their subjects and citizens.
Adopting a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, the course situates maritime conflict management within broader European and global contexts while critically avoiding anachronistic and teleological interpretations. It further considers the continuing relevance of pre-modern practices for understanding contemporary issues of maritime security and international governance in the twenty-first century.
Additional Information Teaching Methods
This course is part of the honours programme. This is a seminar, which
expects active participation of the students!
Method of Assessment
Course participation (active discussion) (25%), oral presentation (25%), written paper (50%).
Entry Requirements
None.
Literature
The literature to be used will be announced later.
Additional Information Target Audience
This course is open to honours students.
Additional Information
Introductory Lectures and Seminars; reading and discussing relevant literature; writing a paper during the course; instructions concerning the demands of the paper will be given step by step along with the seminar series. The course starts in the first week of March! Students will be notified in time via an email generated via Canvas.
Custom Course Registration
The literature to be used will be announced later.
Explanation Canvas
The course description, the course schedule and other information will become available via Canvas.
Recommended background knowledge
None.