School of Humanities  
 
 
HIS-10031 Princes and Peoples: European History, c.1490-c.1700  
Co-ordinator: Dr Ian Atherton    Room: CBB0.046, Tel:33205  
Teaching Team: Miss Amanda  Roberts, Mrs Christine  Edge, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
History Dual Honours (Level 1)
History Major (Level 1)
History Minor (Level 1)
History Single Honours (Level 1)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Barred Combinations
None

Prerequisites
None

Description

'Princes and Peoples' is concerned with the early modern period, a time of dramatic change for all people in Europe and a time of unremitting hardship and struggle for many. Between the late fifteenth and the late seventeenth centuries, European rulers tried to strengthen their authority, often involving an increase in military power. These attempts provoked internal resistance and revolt, as well as frequent foreign wars. Expansion in trade and rising population brought rich opportunities for some social groups, as well as increased poverty for others. The fragmentation of religious unity through the challenge of the Protestant Reformation to the medieval Catholic church inaugurated a century or more of religious conflict within communities and between states. The religious map of Europe had changed fundamentally by the end of the seventeenth century, as medieval Christendom fragmented into a range of different affiliations, whether to a revitalised Catholicism or one of many Protestant churches.

As well as analysing the aims and successes of the powerful, this module also examines the ways in which poorer individuals and families made a living and sought to improve their existence. These centuries are the period of the witch-craze and one lecture explores the claims of witches and the fears of their persecutors. Finally we study the 'discovery' of the New World as Europeans reached the Caribbean and the Americas, a process which had a significant impact on the imagination and social life of the people of the 'old' world, as well as a traumatic effect on indigenous peoples of the 'new' world.

Five main themes are addressed: in 'Power' we discuss the nature of monarchical authority, developments in warfare, and resistance to government; 'Economy' includes consideration of population change and the growth of towns; 'Religion' focuses on the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, and responses to religious division; 'Life at the margins' explores the experiences of poor and marginal groups, including a study of witchcraft; and 'Europe and the Wider World' looks at the encounters between Europeans and indigenous peoples in the Caribbean and the Americas.

This module is taught by leading scholars of early modern Europe, and is delivered via weekly lectures and weekly, small-group seminars. There are rich online resources available to support this module, including those connected to the course set-books.

No previous knowledge of early modern Europe is assumed and the module will appeal to all students interested in how historical developments can cast light on current problems and dilemmas, as well as being a vital module for students taking principal history.

Students may find the following works helpful as introductions to the period and themes of the module, and throughout the study of this module:
Merry Wiesner Hanks, Early Modern Europe (Cambridge, 2005)
B. Kümin, The European World, 1500-1800 (London, 2008)
Richard Bonney, The European Dynastic States, 1494-1660, (Oxford, 1991)
Euan Cameron, ed, Early Modern Europe (Oxford, 2001).
Aims
This module introduces first-year students from any discipline to the study of the most significant developments in European history from the late fifteenth century to the late seventeenth century (ie, from about the 1490s, when Columbus first landed in the New World, to about the 1680s, when Isaac Newton was publishing his ideas about gravity). It covers political, economic, religious and social themes, and considers Europe within a wider world context. It aims to advance students&© historical knowledge and understanding by enabling participants on the module to comprehend sympathetically a society and culture very different to today, because people&©s ideas and motivations were based on beliefs and knowledge that might seem quite alien to us in the twenty-first century.
Intended Learning Outcomes
recognise and explain the most significant political, economic, social and religious developments in European history of the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries, and to discuss sympathetically a society and culture distinct from their own. will be achieved by assessments: 1,3
assess the balance between change and continuity in early modern European history, and to relate detailed evidence and case studies to more general issues. will be achieved by assessments: 1,3
assess critically different historical explanations. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
develop and demonstrate general skills in time-management, reading effectively, note-taking from lectures and reading material, oral presentation and debate, essay writing and exam revision. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Study hours
11 one-hour lectures; 10 one-hour seminar classes; 36 hours seminar preparation; 40 hours essay preparation; 30 hours lecture consolidation; 23 hours to exam revision.
Description of Module Assessment
01: Essay weighted 40%
An essay of c. 2,000 words
One essay from a list of at least eight and not more than ten titles, to be supplied by seminar tutors.
02: Exercise weighted 10%
Essay plan and bibliograpy
This plan and bibliography will comprise preparation for the longer, coursework essay.
03: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%
A two-hour exam
One paper requiring students to answer one essay question (from a choice of five) and two documents-based questions (from a choice of five).
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.