HIS-30151 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

The early-modern period was shaped by an increase in printed information, including newspapers and educational texts – a ‘print revolution’ that has attracted a lot of attention from historians. However, knowledge and information continued to be exchanged in other ways – in manuscript form (e.g. in letters) and orally (through both formal and informal conversation). This module explores the ways in which information was created, exchanged and acquired in the early-modern Atlantic world – focusing on Britain and North America, and also considering Western Europe, West Africa and the Caribbean. We will debate the importance of print versus manuscript information; consider how ‘news’ and ‘information’ can be defined; and explore how education was delivered and accessed in the early-modern Atlantic world. By investigating how previous generations have managed knowledge and information, we will be able to consider the lessons we can learn from this history about how we access news, information and education in today’s society. Throughout the module, you will further develop your skills in analysis, critical thinking, and the communication of ideas.

To introduce students to the ways in which news, information and knowledge were created, disseminated and acquired in the early modern Atlantic world; to enable students to analyse various methodologies and theories used by historians to explore these topics; to expose students to the concept of ‘Atlantic studies’; to familiarise students with historiographical debates surrounding the period and topic; to encourage students to consider how lessons learned from history could or should influence how we approach information exchange in the modern world; to increase student skills in analysis, data management, and communication.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which news, information and education were created, disseminated and acquired in the early-modern Atlantic world: 1,2
appreciate the broad range of methodological approaches that can be used to explore the topics covered, and evaluate the differences between them: 2
reflect on their own learning and consider how the module has developed them as a historian: 1
communicate effectively in different modes of writing: 1,2

Study hours

24 seminar hours
72 preparation for seminars
54 preparation for and completion of assessments (assuming adequate time has been previously spent on seminar preparation)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment