Introducing Modern European History (Credit Plus) (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No prior knowledge is required as this is an introductory course. The study and essay writing skills which the course covers are designed with the needs of students new to level one study in mind.

Content of Course

1. Introduction: the making of modern Europe.

2 / 3. The European Reformation: sixteenth-century Europe.

4 / 5. Absolutism and revolution: seventeenth-century Europe.

6 / 7. Revolution and war: Europe before 1815.

8 / 9. Nationalism and state formation: nineteenth-century Europe.

10. Review session: the making of modern Europe.

Teaching method(s)

A combination of lectures and class discussion. It will also include structured exercises in essay writing and applied study skills.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate, critically discuss and interpret primary sources;

• Understand, discuss and make use of conflicting historical arguments;

• Discuss the interaction between different European states since the sixteenth century and the process of state formation;

• Compare, contrast and draw parallels between four key periods in European history;

• Account for the political development of modern Europe;

• Have developed study and essay writing skills for history, including taking notes and planning and writing essays.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• Cameron, E., ed., 2001. Early Modern Europe: an Oxford history. Oxford: OUP.

• Gildea, R., 1987. Barricades and Borders: Europe 1800-1914. Oxford: OUP.

• Hobsbawn, E. J., 1973. The Age of Revolution: Europe, 1789-1848. London: Cardinal.

• Marshall, P., 2009. The Reformation: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: OUP.

• Munck T., 1989. Seventeenth Century Europe: state conflict and the social order in Europe, 1598-1700. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Study skills texts:

• Northedge, A., 2005. The Good Study Guide. Milton Keynes: OUP.

• Smith, P., 1996. Writing an Assignment. Plymouth: How to Books Ltd.

Class Handouts

Handouts will be available, including maps, chronologies and extracts from source material.

Assessments

10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide.

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.