Weapons, drugs, piracy and commerce: maritime politics in the 21st century
This course studies the creation and shaping of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, considering their history, economics and defence systems so we can better understand maritime geopolitics in the 21st century.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
From the European colonialist expeditions, the horrors of the slavery, the legal trade of goods and fishing, piracy and the illicit trade of drugs and small arms, our oceans have been filled with action. This course will explore the establishment and development of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
What will we cover?
- European colonisation - Commerce of Legal Goods and Fishing - Naval and maritime cooperation - Piracy - Illicit Trade of Drugs - Illicit Trade of Small Arms.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand the establishment and development of major trade routes - Describe important maritime commerce routes - Analyse the impacts of licit and illicit trade - Understand naval and maritime cooperation.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Everyone is welcome, although a good level of English is required. As with our classes on history, it is important to have an open mind and be able to support your opinions, arguments and thoughts as well as engage with opinions, arguments and thoughts with which you may not agree.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught mainly through lectures, group discussions and the exploration of scenarios and case studies. There will be some preparatory as well as recommended reading for this course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but please bring a pen and a notebook or laptop or tablet for notetaking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please explore our politics sections for additional and related courses.
Dr. Maísa Edwards holds a Joint International Relations PhD from King’s College London and the University of São Paulo. Her doctoral research focused on Brazil, the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic and the South Atlantic region. She also has an MSc in Brazil in Global Perspective from King’s College London and a first degree in French and Spanish from University College London. Maísa also has a keen interest in multilingual and multicultural literature and has run the Talk Books With Me (@talk_books_with_me) project since February 2021.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/weapons-drugs-piracy-and-commerce-maritime-politics-in-the-21st-century2998661Weapons, drugs, piracy and commerce: maritime politics in the 21st centuryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/e/weapon_2.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Global & regional politics/Courses/Online courses2285117716771354217311228511771677This course studies the creation and shaping of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, considering their history, economics and defence systems so we can better understand maritime geopolitics in the 21st century.002998643Weapons, drugs, piracy and commerce: maritime politics in the 21st century129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/e/weapon_2_1.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC205129129Weapons, drugs, piracy and commerce: maritime politics in the 21st century12984129Maisa Edwardsweapons-drugs-piracy-and-commerce-maritime-politics-in-the-21st-century/hpc205-2526This course studies the creation and shaping of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, considering their history, economics and defence systems so we can better understand maritime geopolitics in the 21st century.0000-Available|2026-04-20 00:00:00From the European colonialist expeditions, the horrors of the slavery, the legal trade of goods and fishing, piracy and the illicit trade of drugs and small arms, our oceans have been filled with action. This course will explore the establishment and development of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.This course studies the creation and shaping of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, considering their history, economics and defence systems so we can better understand maritime geopolitics in the 21st century.- European colonisation <br/>- Commerce of Legal Goods and Fishing <br/>- Naval and maritime cooperation<br/>- Piracy <br/>- Illicit Trade of Drugs <br/>- Illicit Trade of Small Arms.- Understand the establishment and development of major trade routes <br/>- Describe important maritime commerce routes <br/>- Analyse the impacts of licit and illicit trade <br/>- Understand naval and maritime cooperation.Everyone is welcome, although a good level of English is required. As with our classes on history, it is important to have an open mind and be able to support your opinions, arguments and thoughts as well as engage with opinions, arguments and thoughts with which you may not agree.You will be taught mainly through lectures, group discussions and the exploration of scenarios and case studies. There will be some preparatory as well as recommended reading for this course.There are no additional costs, but please bring a pen and a notebook or laptop or tablet for notetaking.<p>Please explore our politics sections for additional and related courses.</p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsvirtual12912984HPC205NONEMon20/04/26 - 18/05/2619:00 - 21:0019:0021:004 sessions (over 5 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineMaisa EdwardsAvailable courses2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00EveningApr 2026Culture, history & humanities129129Weapons, drugs, piracy and commerce: maritime politics in the 21st centuryweapons-drugs-piracy-and-commerce-maritime-politics-in-the-21st-century/hpc205-2526This course studies the creation and shaping of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, considering their history, economics and defence systems so we can better understand maritime geopolitics in the 21st century.0000-Available|2026-04-20 00:00:00From the European colonialist expeditions, the horrors of the slavery, the legal trade of goods and fishing, piracy and the illicit trade of drugs and small arms, our oceans have been filled with action. This course will explore the establishment and development of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.This course studies the creation and shaping of major trade routes in the North and South Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, considering their history, economics and defence systems so we can better understand maritime geopolitics in the 21st century.- European colonisation <br/>- Commerce of Legal Goods and Fishing <br/>- Naval and maritime cooperation<br/>- Piracy <br/>- Illicit Trade of Drugs <br/>- Illicit Trade of Small Arms.- Understand the establishment and development of major trade routes <br/>- Describe important maritime commerce routes <br/>- Analyse the impacts of licit and illicit trade <br/>- Understand naval and maritime cooperation.Everyone is welcome, although a good level of English is required. As with our classes on history, it is important to have an open mind and be able to support your opinions, arguments and thoughts as well as engage with opinions, arguments and thoughts with which you may not agree.You will be taught mainly through lectures, group discussions and the exploration of scenarios and case studies. There will be some preparatory as well as recommended reading for this course.There are no additional costs, but please bring a pen and a notebook or laptop or tablet for notetaking.<p>Please explore our politics sections for additional and related courses.</p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsconfigurable
