History of the Azores

Objectives

Understand the way late-medieval models were transferred to the Azores.

Identify similarities and differences between portuguese and azorean structures.

Get to know the political, social, economic and cultural circumstances that made the History of the Azores. Insert Azores in the History of the Atlantic.

Develop as personal competences: reflective reading; comparison of contexts and descriptions; critical awareness; interpretation of situations; understanding the historical evolution of a multiple space.

Understand the contexts and the manners cultural and institutional Azorean realities were formed.

Arouse one’s attention towards the importance of knowing the History of this Autonomous Region and the potential of its use in touristic activities, in the preservation of cultural heritage, and in sensitizing people (individuals and institutions) to its study.

Program

15TH AND 16TH CENTURIES

1. On the Portuguese Overseas Expansion

2. On the knowledge about the Azores islands

3. The beginning of settlement: reasons; geographical origins of the settlers; social structure; political-administrative organization; purposes and economical results

4. The life in these islands by the end of 16th century

17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES

1. The Azores within atlantic connections

2. Local, regional and national institutions: ways of acting, powers and conflicts

3. Asymetries and space standardization attempts

4. Economic and social structures

5. The decline of the Ancient Regime

19TH CENTURY

1. The Liberalism

2. Redefinitions of society: relationships between islands; agriculture; industry; trade; external connections; cultural asserts

3. Autonomist ideas and the relationship with the Crown

20TH CENTURY

1. From last years of Monarchy till First Worl War

2. From 1920’s till the emigration in the 1960’s and 1970’s

3. Institutionalised Autonomy

4. Towards the future

Teaching Methodologies

In each class the students say what they already know on the matter of the day, and the teacher explains its integration in the lessons and the questions that will be approached. As she develops the theme, very often with texts, she stimulates dialogue and the expression of doubts, reflexions and debate. She permanently encourages the students to read and discuss the recommended bibliography as well as any other searched by them.

The teacher is constantly reachable and actually supervises the students (within the classroom, by mail, by meetings during the attendance time or out of it) in clearing up the doubts and helping out with bibliographical searches. Each appointment must be previously arranged in class or by e-mail.

Bibliography

Actas do Colóquio "O Liberalismo nos Açores"

A Autonomia no Plano Histórico

CORDEIRO, Carlos, Insularidade e Continentalidade: os Açores e as contradições da Regeneração (1851-1870)

COSTA, [F.] Carreiro da, Esboço Histórico dos Açores

COSTA, R.Madruga da, Os Açores em finais do regime de Capitania-Geral, 1800-1820

COSTA, Susana G., Açores: nove ilhas, uma história

GIL, Maria Olímpia, O Arquipélago dos Açores no século XVII. Aspectos sócio-económicos (1575-1675)

JOÃO, Maria Isabel, Os Açores no século XIX. Economia, Sociedade e Movimentos Autonomistas

LALANDA, Margarida, A Sociedade Micaelense do século XVII : estruturas e comportamentos

MATOS, A.Teodoro de, MENESES,Avelino de, LEITE,J.G. Reis (dir.), História dos Açores: do descobrimento ao século XX

MENESES, Avelino de, Estudos de História dos Açores

SANTOS, J.Marinho dos, Os Açores nos séculos XV e XVI