History of the Azores

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Objectives

The syllabus consists in an analysis of a changing reality. However, it intends to provide a systematization of the knowledge, making use of an attitude that privileges research and reflection. Therefore, the course is compatible with scientific development, which demands the increase and the renovation of knowledge, as a result of interrogation and the use of new and old methods and interpretations, from new and old sources.

The main goal is to understand the historical development of the Azores. In fact, students are expected to understand the origin and the evolution of a very particular society, influenced by historical trends and by its geography. Besides, students will be able to think the present based on the analysis of the past.

Program

1. Introduction

1.1. The history and the historiography of the Azores

1.2. The directions of the investigation

2. The knowledge and the colonization of the islands (XV Century)

2.1. The discovery

2.2. The settlement

2.3. The exercise of power

2.4. The economic organization

2.5. The importance of the geography

3. The era of magnificence (from the XVI century to the end of the XVII century)

3.1. The administration

3.2. The economy

3.3. The strategy

3.4. The society

3.5. The culture

3.6.T he participation in the seizures of the history of Portugal

4. The syndrome of decadence and the resumes of prosperity (from the end of the XVII century to the beginning of the XIX century)

4.1. The administration

4.2. The economy

4.3. The strategy

4.4. The society

4.5. The culture

5. The General Captaincy of the Azores

6. The Azores in the contemporaneity (XIX and XX centuries)

6.1. The pre-autonomies era (from 1836 to 1895)

6.2. The time of the autonomies (from 1895 to now)

Teaching Methodologies

The learning process is based on a balance between teaching and research, so that the transmission of knowledge results in the development of efforts to research and in an increase of knowledge. Therefore, instead of a faithful communicator of knowledge the professor plays the role of advisor who criticises the diversity of perspectives, in order to develop students’ ability to analyse and problematize.

The realization of practical assignments is a supplement to classes, because it provides a careful use of knowledge, working as an important way of learning. It is adopted a system of periodic evaluation, which includes a minimum basis of two elements of evaluation, one of which will have to be written.

Bibliography

Arquivo dos Açores, 2ª ed., 15 vols., Ponta Delgada, UAç., 1980-84.

CHAGAS, Frei Diogo das, Espelho Cristalino em Jardim de Várias Flores, direcção e prefácio de Artur Teodoro de Matos, s/l, SREC/UAç., 1989.

CORDEIRO, António, História Insulana das Ilhas a Portugal Sugeytas no Oceano Occidental, reedição da edição prínceps de 1717, s/l, SREC, 1981.

FRUTUOSO, Gaspar, Saudades da Terra, 6 lvs., Ponta Delgada, Instituto Cultural, 1977-87.

MALDONADO, Manuel Luís, Fénix Angrence, transcrição e notas de Hélder Fernando Parreira de Sousa Lima, 3 vols., Angra do Heroísmo, IHIT, 1989-97.

MATOS, Artur Teodoro de; MENESES, Avelino de Freitas de; LEITE José Guilherme Reis (direcção científica), História dos Açores. Do descobrimento ao século XX, 2 vols., Instituto Açoriano de Cultura, 2008.

MONTE ALVERNE, Frei Agostinho de, Crónicas da Província de S. João Evangelista das Ilhas dos Açores, 3 vols., Ponta Delgada, Instituto Cultural, 1960-62.

Code

0103109

ECTS Credits

6

Classes

  • Teóricas - 30 hours
  • Teórico-Práticas - 30 hours