THE OXFORD ACADEMY
This summer elective examined the history and memory of Caribbean piracy. Students came in with knowledge of piracy from the successful franchise, The Pirates of the Caribbean. We drew from that interest in Caribbean piracy to examine the complex history of theft and looting on the high seas. This included in-depth readings and discussions about how gender and racial ideology shaped piracy in the Caribbean.
Secondary source readings came mostly from David Cordingly’s Under the Black Flag. Other secondary readings included chapters from anthologies, like David Armitage’s edited collection, The British Atlantic World, 1500-1800.