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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Renaissance, Reform & Religious Wars
Module Code HY211 (ITS) / HIS1019 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School History & Geography
Module Co-ordinatorCeleste McNamara
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

In the fifteenth through seventeenth centuries, Europe experienced massive changes with enduring effects. First Italians, then the rest of Europe made a concerted effort to revive an idealized classical past, making innovations and discoveries in the process. At roughly the same time, many people became dissatisfied with the Catholic Church, drawing attention to institutional hypocrisy and failures of pastoral care, eventually also disagreeing with its theology and interpretation of Scripture. Finally, in the aftermath of religious schism came religious war, as Catholics and Protestants battled not only over theological difference but also on political grounds, using religion as a cover. By examining these three key movements or events, we can trace some connections to modernity and see how the early modern period was dramatically changed by intellectual, social, and political shifts. We will read key primary sources that illuminate the period along with guiding secondary texts, and by the end of the module you will have a greater understanding of a period of critical importance in European history and be able to confidently engage with a range of sources for historical study.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate comprehension of the Renaissance, Reformations of Religion, and era of Religious Warfare
2. Evaluate the historical significance of the Renaissance and the Reformation
3. Contextualize primary sources which relate to key module topics
4. Evaluate and contextualize secondary sources which relate to key module topics
5. Develop abilities in historical analysis and argumentation



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture221 Hour, twice per week
Independent Study103Independent Study, Reading, Assignment preparation and completion
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Medieval Foundations

Renaissance Economics

Renaissance Humanism

Renaissance Politics

Renaissance Exploration

Renaissance Science

Renaissance Art

Medieval Critiques of the Catholic Church

Martin Luther

John Calvin

Radical Reformers

Catholic Reform

The English Reformation

The French Wars of Religion

The Thirty Years’ War

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentBook Review25%As required
EssayEssay (1500-2000 words), Assignments x2 (thesis statement and outline)50%As required
ParticipationGroup annotations on assigned readings25%As required
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Jerry Brotton: 2006, The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford,
  • Peter Marshall: 2009, The Reformation: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford,
Other Resources

60292, Loop, 0, Key readings and resources for further reading will be available on Loop,

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