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Early Modern History 1500-1700: A Social History

Module description

This module seeks to provide a firm grounding in the social, economic and cultural history of England, c.1500-1700. It provides a clear and accessible introduction to key events, themes and debates. It adopts a comparative approach to the study of the nature and scope of the sixteenth- and seventeenth century state and the lives of people – both rich and poor – who lived within it. There are no pre-requisites required before taking this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In a series of weekly lectures and seminars, you will explore, amongst other things, population growth and economic upheaval; the politics of community and neighbourhood; poverty, crime, and disorder; social diversification and division; popular religion and culture; literate and oral communication; popular politics and religious conflict; state formation and the expansion of the law; gender and sexuality; the law courts and witchcraft accusations. Throughout the module, we shall evaluate the methods and approaches of the secondary works on these topics. We shall also analyse early modern primary sources in dialogue with the historiography.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Display a core knowledge of early modern English history, linked to key themes
• 2. Demonstrate critical awareness of the historiography of the period
• 3. Bring primary evidence to bear on your interpretations of secondary arguments about social and economic change

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Analyse and reflect critically and contextually upon historical texts relating to a specific historical period or theme
• 5. Collate data from a range of sources, both primary and secondary
• 6. With limited guidance, understand and deploy historical terminology in a comprehensible manner
• 7. With limited guidance, handle different approaches to history in areas of controversy work with primary sources under direction from the module tutor

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Show evidence of ability to read and use texts and source materials critically and empathetically
• 10. Present material for group discussion and have respect for others’ reasoned views
• 11. With limited guidance, gather and deploy material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and cogent argument

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Population growth and economic upheaval
• The politics of community and neighbourhood
• Poverty, crime, and disorder
• Social diversification and division
• Popular religion and culture
• Literate and oral communication
• Popular politics and religious conflict
• State formation and the expansion of the law
• Gender and sexuality
• The law courts and witchcraft accusations
• Urbanisation and urban culture

There is also an opportunity for a 30 minute essay tutorial. This is optional.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• P. Griffiths, A. Fox and S. Hindle (eds.), The Experience of Authority in Early Modern England (Basingstoke, 1996)
• J.A. Sharpe, Early Modern England: a Social History, 1550-1760 (1987; 2nd. ed., London, 1997)
• G. Walker (ed.), Writing Early Modern History (London, 2005)
• K. Wrightson, English Society 1580-1680 (London, 1982; 2nd edition, London 2002)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11588