History of Geographical Discoveries I 1900-1FHO1-OG

The lecture aims to demonstrate the stages, directions, and methods of exploring the world. The changes (and broadening) of the geographical horizons of various nations from antiquity to the early 16th century will be highlighted. The lecturer will discuss the factors that stimulate exploration, presenting specific expeditions and profiles of explorers (in chronological order). Each stage of exploration will begin with a brief introduction—a review of basic information about the level of understanding of the world (at a given time), the balance of political power, civilizational development (technical capabilities), and the degree of independence from the forces of nature.

The presentation of expeditions will include citations from extant travel accounts, maps, and sketches, and will also discuss the reactions of contemporaries to information about newly discovered lands or the discovery of another civilization.

The lectures will also highlight the obstacles that a traveler—an explorer—had to overcome when setting out into the unknown—beyond the boundaries of the known world.

The lecturer will also highlight the developments in art, medicine, nature, technology, and cartography that accompany our exploration of the world and geographical discoveries.

Detailed schedule:

1. Introductory classes "Preparing a Journey": Formalities, Concepts, Chronology
2. Exploring the World in the Ancient World: Egyptian Trade Expeditions, Greek Migrations, Phoenician Travel
3. Alexander the Great and His Influence on Exploring the World
4. Expanding the Borders of the Roman Empire
5. Viking Expeditions and Conquests
6. The Islamic World and Arab Geography
7. Marco Polo and the Silk Road
8. Ibn Battuta - Half a Life Traveling
9. China and the Great Naval Expeditions of the Ming Dynasty
10. Medieval Ideas about the World:
11. The Beginnings of the Age of Discovery: Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama (Portugal, the Atlantic, and the Route to India)
12. Christopher Columbus on His Way to "India"
13. Hernan and Cortez and Francisco Pizarro - the Conquest of the Aztec and Inca Empires
14. A Journey Around the World Ferdinand Magellan
14. Summary: Geographical discoveries and the development of art, medicine, and cartography

Student workload: 2 ECTS. This will consist of:

– Participation in lectures
– Working in direct contact with the teacher (consultations if necessary),
– Student's own (independent) work

Term 2026Z:

None

Course coordinators

Term 2025Z:

Maria Korotaj-Kokoszczyńska

Term 2026Z:

Adam Tyszkiewicz

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

After passing this course a student:

KNOWLEDGE:
1. knows the most important stages of widening the geographical horizon2
2. knows the profiles of the main discoverers - travellers
3. knows the primary cartographic sources documenting the knowledge about the world
4. knows works of art and other historical sources related to geographical discoveries.
5. knows key terms such as "Columbian Exchange," etc.

SKILLS:
1. is able to explain the causes and effects of main expeditions
2. Is able to indicate the impact of discoveries on the development of science (medicine, economics, technology).
3. Is able to use scientific and popular science literature and other sources, including those in foreign languages, in their broadcasts.

ATTITUDE

1. in assessing the importance of credibility, impartiality, and reliability in descriptions of newly discovered lands.
2. in evaluating works of art and other iconographic sources in the context of the title topic.

Assessment criteria

Graded assessment (25 closed-ended questions - 50% of the overall grade, and one open-ended question with an essay-style response - another 50% of the overall grade). Answering the open-ended question may be replaced by completing an artistic/design project related to the course content before the final exam.

Lecture attendance (2 absences allowed).

Bibliography

1. D.J. Boorstin, Odkrywcy dzieje ludzkich odkryć i wynalazków; 2001.
2. K. Farrington, Największe podboje i wyprawy świata;
3. L. Bergreen, Poza krawędź świata; 2005.
4. P. Małyszko, Wielkie podróże; 2007.
5.T. Słabczyński, Encyklopedia odkryć i odkrywców; 2004.
6. W. Walczak, Jak białe plamy znikały z map, 1959
7. Ch. Van Duzer, Potwory morskie ze średniowiecznych i renesansowych map, 2022

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: