MO1902 The Early Modern Western World (c. 1450 - c. 1770)

Academic year

2023 to 2024 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Monday 6.30 - 7.30

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof B M Heal

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Briget Heal and Dr Matthew McLean

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module is designed as an introduction to the study of early modern European history at university level. It is intended to provide an overview of early modern political, social and cultural life, from the era of the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. This was a period of almost unprecedented religious, social, and political change, and saw the development of many key characteristics of our own society, as well as some “dead ends.” The module will look at continental European history from c.1500 to c.1750 and at the global expansion of Europe during this era.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 70% Written Examination = 30%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 1 hour lecture (x 13 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

48

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

154

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • The ability to absorb and organise large amounts of information through the skills of reading, note taking, and the planning of written submitted work.
  • The ability to distinguish between points of view presented by various historians and to understand the reasons for different perspectives.
  • The ability to use the library, and other sources of information, to conduct a balanced historical investigation of subjects, in preparation for tutorials, written work and class test.
  • Through the use of the texts, course readers, and on-line material, it is expected that the student will acquire a good foundation in reading scholarly material and making use of it in the writing of essays and seminar discussion. It is also expected that the student will acquire a good factual knowledge of the period.