(Early) Modern History

Course goals

After completing the course, you will have:

• Substantial knowledge and insights into the most important developments, themes, structures, changes, and connections of the early modern period up to 1848;
• Familiarization with a number of relevant historiographical debates about the period and practice determining one’s own position in debates;
• Familiarization with a number of relevant theories and concepts about the period.

Content

In the period from roughly the late fifteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, developments took place that would form the basis of the world as we know it today. States took on recognizable forms, merchants looked for new markets within and outside Europe, and the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment resulted in new insights and world views. The Atlantic Revolutions and the Industrial Revolutions from the end of the 18th century would permanently change the world politically and economically.

The (Early)modern History course focuses on three, often closely related, thematic areas: political, socio-economic and cultural and religious developments. For example, how did the French Revolution change the political landscape of Europe? What was the role of Europeans in globalization? How did the Reformation and state formation become entwined? You will look for the answer to these and other questions in this course. 

Additional information