Program Overview

The Early Modern World, Reformations and Revolutions

Overview

The Early Modern World, Reformations and Revolutions short course explores the dramatic changes that swept through Britain, continental Europe, and the wider world over 250 years. This period laid the foundations for many things usually labeled 'modern': ethnic and religious diversity, civil rights and parliamentary democracy, global trade, and a consumer economy.

Course Content

The course covers the following content:

• Introduction: mapping early modern history
  • People, land, and cities: peasants and everyday life; nobilities; cities - the Rise of London
  • Reformations: reformation movements; reformation from above - Henry VIII and the English Reformation; counter reformation and global Catholicism
  • Women and men: gender and the family; witchcraft and magic; kingship and queenship - Elizabeth I, 'The Virgin Queen'
• Power and knowledge
  • States and politics: states; princely courts; civil war and revolution - Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, and the War of the Three Kingdoms
  • Beyond Europe: imperial expansion; trade and colonial societies - the Atlantic slave trade; world empires
  • Culture and knowledge: print and popular culture; Renaissance and Scientific Revolution; the public sphere and party politics - Whigs, Tories, and the Glorious Revolution
  • Conclusion: Enlightenment and the crisis of the Old Order

Assessment

Assessment is via two 500-word reviews (20% each) and a 1500-word essay (60%).

Student Experience

As a student on this course, you will study alongside Birkbeck students enrolled on one of our undergraduate or postgraduate courses, giving you the opportunity to network with a range of Birkbeck current students whilst you learn.

Course Details

• This can be taken as a standalone short course or as a part of:
  • History and Archaeology (Certificate of Higher Education)
• 30 credits at level 4

Fees

• Ł1770
• Disclaimer: Students are charged a tuition fee for each module at enrolment. Module fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.

Entry Requirements

• Most of our short courses have no formal entry requirements and are open to all students.
• This short course has no prerequisites.
• As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
• International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.