FutureLearn

Confronting Captain Cook: Memorialisation in museums and public spaces (FutureLearn)

Offered by National Maritime Museum,

Explore the importance and far-reaching effects of the voyages of Captain Cook, and delve into the modern controversy around him. Learn about the complex and controversial legacy of Captain James Cook.

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2018 marked the 250th anniversary of the departure of the Endeavour for Tahiti under the command of Captain James Cook. But, as the defacing of his statues in Australia suggests, not everyone sees the explorer’s legacy in a positive light.
In this course you’ll learn about the scientific ambition and historical context of the journeys undertaken by Cook, uncovering the complex relationships between Europeans and Pacific Islanders. You’ll also consider the impact of these voyages on our modern world and how various communities and societies relate differently to this legacy.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1 - Introduction to the voyages and the problematic legacies of Captain James Cook and how these are viewed in the Pacific and beyond.
Week 2 - How do we use critical and historical enquiry skills to examine and question the historical record of Captain Cook and the impacts of these voyages?
Week 3 - How Cook’s death lead to a turning point in Britain’s policy and an examination of colonialisation in the Pacific and Australia.
Week 4 - The complexities around memorialisation in the 21st century through the legacy of Captain James Cook.
Week 5 - The broader discussions around memorialisation in public spaces.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

Assess the complex history of exploration in the enlightenment era by exploring the historical record
Apply skills of critical and historical enquiry to compare different primary sources
Identify outcomes of the voyages of James Cook with particular reference to the process of colonisation in the Pacific
Engage with, and reflect on, ideas about memorialisation and the display of objects in our museums and public spaces
Debate and discuss the key theme of memoralisation in public spaces through the lens of James Cook

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