HI30BD: GERMANY, 1517-1806: REFORMATION, EMPIRE AND ENLIGHTENMENT (2015-2016)

Composed of hundreds of principalities, cities, bishoprics and other territories, the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation as Germany was then called - seemed an incoherent patchwork, yet it functioned as a political entity for centuries. This course studies the great diversity of German history at a time of profound transformation, from the onset of the Reformation to the destruction of the Empire by Napoleon in the early years of the nineteenth century. We will look at religious conflict and social rebellion, the impact of war on society, the important role of German cities, the relationship between Empire and territorial states, Baroque culture, the impact of the early Enlightenment, the changing idea of Empire and the development of early national identity. As for much of this time the Empire was a battlefield for the diverse interests of European dynasties in the 'heart of Europe', we will explore the relationship between Germany and its neighbours. The question we have to ask is not why did the Holy Roman Empire fail, but why and how did it survive for such a long period?

This module is available to students on all non-History degree programmes as a discipline breadth course for the enhanced study requirement. However, the admission of students with a non-History degree intention will be at the discretion of the School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy.

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

View HI30BD Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: 15 minute seminar presentation (10%) of overall assessment; Essay (max. 3,500 words) (50%) of overall assessment; 1 three-hour examination (40%) of overall assessment.

Resit: 100% essay of 5000 words.

Verbal feedback on seminar presentations and one-to-one meetings on essay planning and bibliographies.

Assessment specific feeback via standard feedback forms is given on the essay.

None.