https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/L_GAMAGES039After taking this course, students are able to:Explain how the history of premodern religious organizations (1200-1800 CE) can be contextualized within the historiography on international organizations.Identify several examples of important pre-modern religious international organizations and analyze their impact on global history.Present the results of a small individual research project, both orally and in written form.The history of international organizations is typically traced back only into 19th century. In this course we explore the long and fascinating history of NGOs whose history extends much further back. Starting from the era when large monastic organizations first became a political, legal, and cultural force to reckon with on the international stage, we investigate how such organizations could make monarchs shiver, and popes reconsider. Sailing along on the very first ships and waves of European expansion, the Franciscan, Dominican and Jesuit orders became truly global, leaving an indelible mark on colonialism and continuing to shape the world order during 16th and 17th centuries. A telltale sign of their political and economic success is the global suppression of the Jesuits eighteenth-century. We likewise explore the impact of global Protestant organizations such as for example the pietist Herrnhut Brethren, who went on to play an important role in Surinam. Seminars (2 times per week 2 hrs).(Reading) assignments; literature review; presentations (50 %), research paper (50 %).MA students in history, as well as MA students from other disciplines interested in the course content (history of religion, history of international organizations, etc.)