Module manager: Professor Stephen Alford
Email: S.Alford@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module provides an introduction to some of the central issues in the study of early modern history. In the period between 1500 and 1750, Europe was transformed by the fragmentation of Western Christianity, an information and media revolution fuelled by the spread of literacy and printing, and changing socio-economic structures which fundamentally reshaped everyday lives and the relationship between rulers and ruled. Encounters and interactions with non-European societies will be studied to reveal how Europe was becoming part of a global economy and society.
The module aims to:
- assess the nature and impact of religious reform on different geographical contexts;
- explore diverse traditions, cultures and transformations of knowledge in the period;
- evaluate political, economic, social and cultural change for the framework of life and the structure of society;
- analyse the relationship between Europe and the wider world in this period.
You will be introduced to the diverse range of primary sources which are available for the study of early modern history, facilitating engagement with the ideas and beliefs of people living at this time.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Assess critically the key themes in the history of early modern Europe.
2. Effectively Evaluate a variety of historiographical perspectives on the period.
3. Apply judiciously discursive and analytical skills.
4. Analyse and apply skills of historiographical survey.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Evaluate and contextualise a range of early modern European primary sources.
6. Research and write coherently about an aspect of the past.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
This module will include one formative assignment, which takes the form of a blog post on a primary source, for which feedback will be provided to help you prepare the primary source commentaries. These source exercises help develop your skills of primary source analysis, which can then be used alongside historiographical and contextual analysis in the final assessment (OTLA). You will also be monitored throughout the module on class participation and you will have the opportunity to meet with your tutor for one-to-one meetings to get feedback on your approach to each assignment prior to the deadlines.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Source commentary | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team