Course content

The course provides students with an in-depth knowledge of chosen themes within the period ca. 1500-1850 in different fields. The period was marked by increased global contact and entanglement in different fields, and by major changes in political organization, demographic developments and cultural expressions. Themes selected will be from different time periods, including geographical regions and spheres of society, but a consistent trait running through the module will be that the themes will be examined from different perspectives and through multiple historiographical lenses.

Examples of themes explored in this course include:

• Statebuilding. Possible angles are conclomerate states, unified states, identities and loyalties, absolutism and democratication.
• Religion: For instance refomation, counter-reformation, pietism, religious conformity and persecution, witchhunts
• Economic processes, for instance, trade, production and consumption
• Social processes such as changes in the system of estates, poverty, criminality
• Music and the positions of musicians as reflections of changes in society, for example the development in sacral music, changes of style in secular music and the discovery of popular music
• Globalization: For instance the development of global trade, migration and colonization

The course will also give an introduction to theoretical and methdological questions connected to the themes that will be taught.

Themes that will be examined in this course will vary from academic year to academic year depending on the available staff. The themes will usually reflect the professional interests of the teachers holding the course. Information on topics for the academic year is found under studies on the webpage for the department with academic responsibility.

Learning outcome

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge:

The candidate is expected to

• have knowledge about economical, social, political and/or cultural changes in the period ca. 11550-1850
• have knowledge about how individuals and local societies became a part of new economical, social and/or political connections, and how these connections had an effect on the daily life of the individual, on norms and behaviour.

Skills

The candidate is expected to

• be able to pass on knowledge gained from the course and to discuss relevant problems in a critical way

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and/or seminars

Compulsory assignments

• Compulsory participation in seminars

Recommended previous knowledge

HIST1300/HIST1350 or corresponding

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

See curriculum published at the start of the semester, and other materials (reading and lecture lists and other relevant information) published on Blackboard

Credit reductions