HI1523: RENAISSANCES AND REFORMATIONS (2014-2015)

The course provides a broad overview of the changes which the Renaissance and Reformations introduced to European culture, politics, religion, society and people’s understanding of their role in the world. It traces these developments in a comparative way, from Europe’s Atlantic cost to East Central Europe and Russia, throughout a changing image of the world and its relationship to the spiritual, brought on by Renaissance, a time of unrest triggered by the European Reformations, the radical and the magisterial reformations, European expansion, the growth of monarchies and republics, and the wars of religion of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It concludes with the onset of the early Enlightenment and an analysis of absolutist court culture. A chronological approach is combined with a thematic survey of major historical movements, concepts, ideas and developments, such as monarchy, nobility, secularisation, serfdom and feudalism, urbanisation, sexuality and everyday life, witchcraft and popular belief, court culture, mercantilism, and warfare.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View HI1523 Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: Assessment is based on:

• written essay at (30%) of the final assessment;
• Documents test at (10%);
• tutorial participation at (10%);
• two-hour degree examination at (50%).

Details: Essay: 2,000 words Documents Test: comment on 2 documents (from a selection of five) during a one-hour test Tutorial participation: (10%) to encourage attendance and practice preparation and presentation skills 1 two-hour final examination: answer 2 questions from a choice of 8.

Resit: Final examination (100%).

A book-review (formal) or a draft essay (informal) to return feedback on writing examples before students hand in their essays. Also possible forms: chairing of discussion and presentation sessions, etc., role play assuming historical characters and debates.

One-to-one essay return as soon as possible, with plenty of comments, advice in improvement and, if necessary, information about learning support courses at the university; office hours, class meetings, mixed tutor- and peer assessment by students and discussion thereof.

None.