BLUE NETWORKS: About This Website
This website was created in 2016 by third-year students from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, in fulfillment of the requirements for the course 'Blue Networks. Social Networking in the Pre-Modern Mediterranean World'. This course is the last segment of the interdisciplinary three-year BA minor program The Mediterranean World, offered by the Faculty of Arts. Students in the minor come from the departments of History, Art History, Archaeology, Classical Studies, European Languages and Cultures, and International Relations.
The course opened with four plenary sessions ('common seminars') in which network theory was discussed in relation to Antiquity (dr. Williamson), the Middle Ages (dr. Corbellini), and the Early Modern period (dr. Williams). Subsequently, students chose an in-depth seminar in which to examine network dynamics in the respective periods in greater detail.
The following seminars were offered:
During the seminars, students developed their own research projects. These projects resulted in academic essays as well as web-pages for a broader audience -- showcased here. This website presents the wide range of ways in which network theory can be applied to the Mediterranean world in the pre-modern period.
The course opened with four plenary sessions ('common seminars') in which network theory was discussed in relation to Antiquity (dr. Williamson), the Middle Ages (dr. Corbellini), and the Early Modern period (dr. Williams). Subsequently, students chose an in-depth seminar in which to examine network dynamics in the respective periods in greater detail.
The following seminars were offered:
- Ancient Networks: Religious and Festival Networks in the Ancient Mediterranean - given by Dr. Christina Williamson
- Medieval Networks: Textual Networks: Real and Virtual Communities - given by Dr. Sabrina Corbellini
- Early Modern Networks: The Opening of the Mediterranean and "Discovery" of the Indian Ocean Network - given by Dr. Anjana Singh
During the seminars, students developed their own research projects. These projects resulted in academic essays as well as web-pages for a broader audience -- showcased here. This website presents the wide range of ways in which network theory can be applied to the Mediterranean world in the pre-modern period.
Course Instructors
Course Coordinator & Website Coordinator
Dr. Megan K. Williams (PhD Columbia, 2009) specializes in the history of early modern diplomacy. Her current research project on the role of paper in Renaissance diplomacy is funded by the NWO (Netherlands Scientific Organization).
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Instructor: Antiquity
Dr. Christina Williamson (PhD Groningen, 2012) specializes in state formation and interdisciplinary spatial analyses. Her thesis examined the landscapes of rural sanctuaries in Hellenistic Asia Minor in forming civic identity. A recent NWO-Rubicon laureate, she also holds degrees in Mediterranean archaeology, IT, and art.
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Instructor: Middle Ages & Minor Coordinator
Dr. Sabrina Corbellini (PhD Leiden, 2000) specializes in the history of reading and medieval Dutch literature. Her current research projects study how lay people produced and transmitted religious knowledge. These projects are funded by the NWO (Netherlands Scientific Organization), COST (Cooperation in Science and Technology), and the European Research Council.
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Instructor: Early Modern
Dr. Anjana Singh (PhD Leiden, 2007) specializes in the history of early modern South Asia, the VOC (Dutch East India Company) in Asia, port cities and trading communities, and the social history of knowledge.
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Banner Image: Fra Mauro world map (detail). Venice, c.1450. Manuscript chart on vellum. Museo Correr, Venice. Image via Wikimedia.
Site last edited: 5 June 2016.
Site last edited: 5 June 2016.