Seminar in Modern Europe I

Course Description

Focused examination of primary and secondary sources as well as advanced research in the current scholarly literature on early-modern European history (ca. 1500-1789). Areas may include, but are not limited to, political, economic, intellectual, cultural, social, environmental and diplomatic history.

Learning Outcomes

• Organize the major historical themes and issues in the early-modern period of European history as presented and debated in the scholarly literature.
• Analyze the specific characteristics of, and similarities and differences between, works of major historians of early-modern Europe.
• Evaluate the theoretical and empirical approaches these historians take to the study of early-modern European history.
• Research the scholarly discussion of a topic in early-modern European history.
• Write a professional commentary that integrates this research into a position paper that assesses that scholarly discussion and presents the student’s own critical thinking about the topic.
• Produce a book review of publishable quality on a recent historical monograph in early-modern European history.

Prerequisites

• HIS600