HIS10070 The Making of Modern Europe: 1500-2000

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module offers a sweeping introduction to some of the momentous changes which have taken place in Europe over the past five hundred years. It explores some of the major landmarks in Europe's social, political, and economic development: the development of European Empires, religious change, witchcraft, the industrial revolution, democratic change, war in the modern world, the Cold War and socio-cultural change since 1945. There will be one lecture every week which will introduce students to these themes, but the heart of the course lies in the seminars. Here, students will be encouraged to challenge interpretations of the past, to debate ideas and to draw on primary evidence.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1) To introduce students to the study of history at university level. Students will develop an appreciation for the difference in studying history at school level and at third-level.
2) To develop confidence in handling a range of primary source material; to analyse documents and set them within their broader historical context; to use documents intelligently in both seminar discussion and essays.
3) To gain an introductory awareness of the practice of history writing, with emphasis on different approaches, debates and controversies. You will also begin to reflect on the influences which have shaped these approaches.
4) To gain an awareness of some of the most important themes in early modern and late modern European history.
5) To develop confidence in debating issues in seminars, and in delivering presentations.
6) To hone essay-writing skills.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction
Reformation
New Worlds
Witchcraft
The Rise of Democracy
European Imperialism
War in the Modern World
Cold War
End of Empires

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

11
Specified Learning Activities

45
Autonomous Student Learning

45
Total

112
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
One lecture per week (online for 2020-2021) will introduce students to key topics in Modern European History.
One seminar group per week (face to face or online depending on individual as well as general circumstances) will develop your confidence in navigating and analysing a range of primary source evidence. This will also involve problem-based learning, responses to student presentations, asking questions, debating &c. Most important of all, however, will be autonomous student learning: reading textbooks, specialist articles and monographs to deepen your awareness of the topics and of the practice of history. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Seminar Contribution Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Essay: Essay from Section B Week 12 n/a Graded No

40
Essay: Essay from Section A Week 6 n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

You will receive feedback on the mid-term essays via comments, and will receive feedback on your seminar contributions. General feedback may also be offered within the seminar group to deal with common issues/challenges.