Module HIST41930: Issues in Early Modern History

Department: History

HIST41930: Issues in Early Modern History

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• to gain an advanced understanding of some theoretical and conceptual approaches to early-modern British, European and Atlantic History (c. 1500-c1790). For the purposes of this module Early Modern History refers to European culture broadly conceived, whether on the Continent, in the British Isles, or the Americas.

Content

• This course introduces students to some of the major problems, issues and debates in early-modern history. It is taught comparatively, with emphasis on Britain, Europe, and the Atlantic world. The range of topics studied will be chosen from a selection including: institutions and society; heterodoxy, orthodoxy and persecution; sex and gender; knowledge and expertise; micro versus macro-histories; material culture; texts and contexts; images and iconography. Students will be able to focus on one of these topics in their written work, but will be expected to engage with the full range through oral presentations and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

• advanced knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual approaches relevant to Early Modern History

• http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

• http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

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

• Student learning is facilitated by a range of teaching methods.
• Seminars and Group Discussion require students to reflect on and discuss: their prior knowledge and experience; set reading of secondary and, where appropriate, primary readings; information provided during the session. They provide a forum in which to assess and comment critically on the findings of others, defend their conclusions in a reasoned setting, and advance their knowledge and understanding of history.
• Structured reading requires students to focus on set materials integral to the knowledge and understanding of the module. It specifically enables the acquisition of detailed knowledge and skills which will be discussed in other areas of the teaching and learning experience.
• Assessment is by means of a 5000 word essay which requires the acquisition and application of advanced knowledge and understanding of an aspect of the conceptual and theoretical approaches to early modern history. Essays require a sustained and coherent argument in defence of a hypothesis, and must be presented in a clearly written and structured form, and with appropriate apparatus.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One or more short assignments delivered orally and discussed 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