Module: Early Modern Europe, 1450-1648

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Early Modern Europe, 1450-1648
Module Code	HIS1012 (ITS: HY115)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

Early Modern Europeans witnessed and experienced a series of massive paradigm shifts that transformed elements of their lives. They lived through the Renaissance, the Reformations of religion, an era of global exploration and conquest, and the development of nation states, all of which marked a fundamental shift from the medieval period. And yet in other ways we see deep continuity with the past. Looking at European history in this period allows us to ask questions about the nature of “Europe” and “Europeanness,” early moves towards globalization, and both change and continuity in religious, cultural, social, and political realms.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E2675D4-96BF-0001-FC2F-17D07BFB1E5F
2. Identify and explain the major social, political, and cultural changes that took place in early modern Europe.
5. 1
6. 1E2675D4-A01B-0001-2040-C4907A8C1753
7. Evaluate the impact of European culture and conquest on the wider world.
10. 2
11. 1E2675D4-A46B-0001-FC83-1D70449A5510
12. Engage critically with a wide range of historical sources, primary and secondary.
15. 3
16. 1E2675D4-AAFD-0001-7ABD-9D5F13401ECF
17. Access and critically evaluate electronic sources.
20. 4
21. 1E2675D4-B123-0001-7E82-16DA1CD012CA
22. Research and write an essay presenting an argument based in the historical literature and making use of readings and research.
25. 5

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures
Independent Study	166	Independent Study and assignment completion
Total Workload: 190

Section Breakdown
CRN	20526	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Research and create entry for timeline	25%	As required
Loop Quiz	3 multiple choice quizzes	10%	As required
Digital Project	Video/audio exploration of primary source	45%	As required
Completion of online activity	Collaborative annotations on assigned readings	20%	Every Week

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Lecture Topics may include
print culture, exploration, conquest and colonization, Humanism, the Renaissance, religious reform, everyday life, the inquisition, religious violence, the 30 Years War.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks: 0, Early modern Europe, 1450-1789 (2006, 2013)., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Beat Kumin (ed.),: 0, The European world, 1500-1800 (London, 2009).,
Stephen J. Lee,: 0, Aspects of European history, 1494-1789 (London, 1984) e-book.,
E.F. Rice and A Grafton: 0, The foundations of early modern Europe, 1460-1559 (New York, 1994).,
Euan Cameron (ed.): 0, , Early modern Europe: an Oxford history (Oxford, 1999).,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Loop: Key readings will be provided on Loop as will an extensive reading list of materials available in the library.,