Roads to Modernity: Europe 1600-1939
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| INTS1008 | School of International Studies | 1 | 20 | Spring China |
- Code
- INTS1008
- School
- School of International Studies
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring China
Summary
This module consists of an introductory survey covering the major developments in European affairs from the seventeenth century to the aftermath of World War I. Lectures and seminars address some of the themes that have contributed to shaping modern Europe, which should include the English Civil War and French “absolutism”, the different Enlightenments, the French Revolution and nationalism, the industrial revolution, the growth of liberalism, and imperialism, World War I, and the interwar period with the rise of totalitarianisms. Particular attention is given to social, political and economic forces, culminating in an examination of the tumultuous early years of the twentieth century as the continent was divided by competing ideologies.
Please note: This module is assessed at the end of Spring semester. First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.
Target Students
Students enrolled in the School of International Studies.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: 2,000 words individual essay
- 50% Exam 1 (2-hour): 2-hr written exam
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The module aims to provide students with a framework of some of the main developments in European affairs since the seventeenth century, knowledge of the background factors which influenced these developments, and an understanding of the interpretative debates surrounding them, and through these to develop the intellectual and transferable skills outlined below.Learning Outcomes
On the completion of this module, students should have acquired:
(a) Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the module, in their assessed work, students should be able to:
• explain and interpret some of the main underlying forces that shaped European history in the period under discussion and show an understanding of major events in this process;
• evaluate forces of change and continuity within the period.
(b) Intellectual skills
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• think critically and imaginatively about the subject matter;
• identify and address key problems relevant to it;
• interpret secondary sources and be aware of differing historical interpretations of the subject matter;
• construct coherent and independent historical arguments of their own.
(c) Practical skills
The module will develop students' ability to:
• select, sift and synthesise information from a range of secondary sources;
• identify and compare key arguments in those materials;
• demonstrate appropriate writing, footnoting and bibliographical skills;
• use the University intranet to access the library catalogue.
(d) Transferable skills
The module will develop students' ability to:
• manage a large and disparate body of information;
• express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing essays;
• work and learn actively with others;
• manage and take responsibility for their own learning;
• respect the views of others;
• use IT to word process their assessed essay.
(e) Professional competencies
The module aims to enable the participants to develop:
• Professional communication through seminar group discussion and debates, and through the oral reporting of group discussion outcomes
• Co-ordination with others by working in groups to prepare seminar debates.
• Digital capabilities through the development of information skills such as library databases searches and using literature search tools to produce coursework.
Conveners
- Dr Matteo Salonia