Module HIST1571: Merchants and Their World, 1400-1600

Department: History

HIST1571: Merchants and Their World, 1400-1600

Prerequisites

• • Normally an A or B grade in A-Level History, or an acceptable equivalent (e.g. in terms of Scottish Highers or lB)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• • To provide an introduction to aspects of continental European history at the end of the middle ages and beginning of the early modern periods • To provide students with an introduction to the relationship between economic, political, religious and cultural history for the late medieval and early modern periods • To develop students’ awareness of historians’ approaches to these different kinds of history

Content

• This module explores the world European merchants lived and worked in at the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the early modern period. Drawing on key works of secondary literature as well as a wide variety of sources, including merchant letters, wills, travel diaries and business contracts, it will investigate how political, social and cultural developments affected the lives of the men and women who tried to make a living on the marketplace and how their activities could change the course of history outside the commercial sphere.

Learning Outcomes

• An understanding of some of the key themes and developments in the political, economic, social and cultural history of Europe during this period • An awareness of the ways in which these developments related to the people conducting international trade in Europe during this period • A familiarity with the analytical tools and the types of historical evidence used by historians to investigate these themes

• • Subject specific skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/ModuleProformaMap/

• • Key skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/ModuleProformaMap/

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• • Student learning is facilitated by a combination of the following teaching methods: • Lectures to set the foundations for further study and to provide the basis for the acquisition of subject specific knowledge. Lectures provide a broad framework which defines individual module content, introducing students to themes, debates and interpretations. In this environment, students are given the opportunity to develop skills in listening, selective note-taking and reflection; • Seminars to allow students to present and critically reflect upon the acquired subject-specific knowledge, methodologies and theories, and to identify and debate a range of issues and differing opinions. The seminar is the forum in which students are given the opportunity to communicate ideas, jointly exploring themes and arguments. Seminars are structured to develop understanding and designed to maximise student participation related to prior independent preparation. Seminars give students the opportunity to develop oral communication skills, encourage critical and tolerant approaches to reasoned argument and historical discussion, build the students??? ability to marshal historical evidence, and facilitate the development of the ability to summarise historical arguments, think in a rapidly changing environment and communicate in a persuasive and articulate manner, whilst recognising the value of working with others and, occasionally, towards shared goals. • Assessment: • Unseen examinations test students' ability to work under pressure under timed conditions, to prepare for examinations and direct their own programme of revision and learning, and develop key time management skills. The unseen examination gives students the opportunity to develop relevant life skills such as the ability to produce coherent, reasoned and supported arguments under pressure. Students will be examined on subject specific knowledge; • Summative essays remain a central component of assessment in history, due to the integrative high-order skills they develop. Essays allow students the opportunity to recognise, represent and critically reflect upon ideas, concepts and problems; students can demonstrate awareness of, and the ability to use and evaluate, a diverse range of resources and identify, represent and debate a range of subject-specific issues and opinions. Through the essay, students can synthesise information, adopt critical appraisals and develop reasoned argument based on individual research; they should be able to communicate ideas in writing, with clarity and coherence; and to show the ability to integrate and critically assess material from a wide range of sources.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One or more short assignments submitted in writing or delivered orally and discussed either 1:1 or in a group context.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University