Germanic Languages | The Golden Age of Dutch Culture
E342 | 14723 | Ham
Topic: the Dutch-America connection
Taught in English; no prerequisites. Course open to graduates and
When the British wrested New Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664, the
truth about its thriving, polyglot society began to disappear into
myths about an island purchased for 24 dollars and a cartoonish
peg-legged governor. The Dutch colony pre-dated the “original”
thirteen colonies, yet it seems strikingly familiar. Its capital was
cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic, and its citizens valued free trade,
individual rights, and religious freedom. That is the way how the
Dutch-American link started.
In this course, we will start at the beginning of the 17th century,
find out what happened to the Dutch colony and how the relationship
between the two countries developed until the year 2006.
Grading will entail: several writing assignments, a paper and a final.
Class participation is a requirement for successful completion of the
course; therefore it also covers a solid part of the grade.
*Russell Shorto, The island at the center of the world, Vintage books,
* eInstruction responsepad (clicker) 1881483717
* eInstruction activation code 1881483045