The old European order was profoundly shaken by the outbreak of revolutions in the American colonies in 1776 and France in 1789. These events heralded an age of dramatic changes in culture, society, and politics. Beginning in Britain in the mid-seventeenth century, the Industrial Revolutions further reshaped European society. New cities sprang up, leading to the decline of rural regions. In these new urban communities new classes emerged, along with a growing sense of class-consciousness; across Europe new political ideas were formed. This was an age of revolutions, but also an age of empire; European nations throughout the long nineteenth century conquered and exploited peoples in Asia and Africa, while the spoils of empire fed the growth of domestic societies. This was an era of great progress and innovation, but also of deprivation and inequity.
This module will challenge students' understanding of political, economic, social and cultural developments in modern European history, increasing their historical knowledge and engaging with key historiographical debates. Utilising a range of primary and secondary sources, students will be encouraged to discuss complex developments in a structured and critical way. These skills will be introduced to students through the consideration of a number of topics including: the American and French Revolutions; Industrialisation; Artistic Movements; Poverty; Political Representation; the Revolutions of 1848; German and Italian Unification; Imperialism; the outbreak of the First World War.
Total contact hours: 44
Private study hours: 106
Total study hours: 150
Essay (1500 words) (30%)
Seminar Participation (10%)
In Course Test (45 minutes) (10%)
Exam (2 hours) (50%)
JYA English Plus alternative assessment in lieu of exam
Written Assignment (1500 words) (50%)
Reassessment method: 100% coursework
Evans, Richard J (2017), The Pursuit of Power: Europe, 1815-1914, Penguin.
Gildea, Robert (2003), Barricades and Borders: Europe 1800-1914, Oxford University Press.
Rapport, Michael (2005), Nineteenth-Century Europe, Palgrave Macmillan.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
Specific Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of history at a level commensurate with Foundation level.
Apply basic critical and analytical skills through exploration of historical knowledge, analysis of different source materials and the writing of essays
Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of some of the key historical developments that have shaped modern European society.
Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of historiography.
Generic Learning Outcomes:
Develop own arguments with guidance, and integrate these appropriately with critically evaluated source material (from lectures or through reading) in written form.
Employ some critical awareness and critical-thinking skills and be able to apply these to all areas of study.
Use English with greater fluency, confidence and appropriateness, with a particular emphasis on English for academic purposes.
Understand the concept of the international classroom and learning environment in a UK higher education context.
Comply with methods of assessment, deadlines, homework, seminars and tutorials, manage time and learning effectively.
Use services such as Templeman Library and the Computing Service and manage their learning independently.
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