Early Modern History MA
Master
In Birmingham
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Birmingham
Are you interested in exploring the history of sixteenth-, seventeenth- or eighteenth-century Britain, Europe and the wider world?
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Subjects
- Ms Word
- Modern History
- Word
Course programme
You will study four core modules and two optional modules before completing your dissertation.
Core modulesYou will study two core modules in early modern history:
Introduction to Early Modern HistoryIn the first semester, this module offers a broad introduction to early modern history, and in particular to some of the main historical and historiographical debates which are key to understanding sixteenth- and seventeenth-century society, culture, politics and religion. This will include important concepts surrounding religious and popular belief, the early-modern state, gender and sexuality, material culture, and the non-European world. As such, it will provide you with a broad knowledge base to draw upon as you begin thinking about the area of early modern history you would like to focus on for your dissertation.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
In the second semester, this module introduces in more detail the hands-on study of early modern history by interrogating a range of important sources, from ecclesiastical documents and court records, state papers, printed books, diaries and letters to maps, music, visual and material culture and digital humanities. These sessions will familiarise you with important practical and methodological issues, as well as giving a sense of how these kinds of material have been used by historians to enhance our understanding of the past.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
You will also study two other core modules:
Historical MethodsThis module, which runs throughout the autumn semester, is your chance to meet students from across the range of masters programmes offered within the department, from ancient and medieval through to modern and contemporary history. Together, you will consider the key approaches, theories and concepts that have shaped historical practice since the Second World War. These include developments such as the Annales School, historians’ response to Marxism and to anthropological theory, cultural history, the linguistic turn, gender and critical social theory. The focus is on the application of ideas to historical practice. You will investigate how early modernists have adapted these theories and methods to their particular field of study.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay
This module, which consists of a number of different elements, runs throughout the academic year, and provides important training and support as you develop your research skills, and devise your own unique dissertation topic. You will receive intensive training in palaeography (reading old handwriting), and you will be allocated to a supervisor, who will help prepare you to give an oral presentation on your dissertation topic, as well as producing an annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and an outline dissertation plan.
Assessment: Written assignments and a presentation
You will also choose two optional modules, or a double special-subject module, from a range available across the Department of History and beyond. Modules typically include (subject to staff availability):
- Beyond the Book
- Capital Lives: Experiencing the City in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Britain
- Greek (beginner/advanced)
- Latin (beginner/advanced)
- Reading Languages for Researchers (French/German/Italian/Spanish)
It is also possible to undertake a relevant module from another department (such as Classics, Art History, or English).
Alternatively, you may wish to choose a double special subject module. Topics available in recent years have included:
- Protestants, Papists and Puritans
- The English Civil War
In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Early Modern History MA