Module HIST42630: Courts and Power in Early-Modern Europe

Department: History

HIST42630: Courts and Power in Early-Modern Europe

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To gain an advanced understanding of aspects of the relationship between power and politics in early modern Britain and Europe (c. 1500-1700)

Content

• This module is taught comparatively and with an emphasis on Britain and Continental Europe. The range of topics studied will include: Monarchical government; Nobilities; Empire; Political culture and the Public Sphere; Elite culture and patronage; International diplomacy. 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

• Understanding of early modern European court history
• Understanding of how different courts related to each other and how princely and elite identities were created and explored

• Ability to interpret different types of primary historical sources (e.g. written, visual)
• Facility with theories, themes, and methods relevant to the study of early modern court history
• Ability to use primary sources to make a targeted intervention in a scholarly discourse

• Independent research skills appropriate to historical research at Level 4.
• Ability to synthesise complex evidence from a range of primary sources.
• Ability to synthesise complex information from a range of perspectives in secondary studies.
• Ability to formulate an historical question for essay work.
• Ability to formulate cogent historical argument in essay form.
• Effective oral and written communication, appropriate to Level 4.
• Ability to reflect on reading and answer questions arising in seminars.
• Ability to present scholarly references and bibliography.

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 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 the political history of this period.
• 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 political history of the early modern world (Britain and Europe). 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