We will explore pirates in early history, then focus on the "Golden Age of Piracy" (1650-1730 AD), and finally talk about how pirates have changed over the centuries and the threats they still pose to today's maritime commerce. We will also cover pirate weapons and tactics, women in piracy, and government-sponsored pirates. We will conclude with a discussion of the most successful pirate of all time - it's not who you think! Suggested Readings: (1) Pirates: Terror on the High Seas From the Caribbean to the South China Sea, edited by David Cordingly; and (2) Pirates: Scourge of the Seas, by John Reeve Carpenter.