What will I learn on this module?
You will be introduced to the history of late medieval and early modern Europe from 1200 to 1720, and to a variety of topics including the interaction between Jews, Muslims, and Christians, the growing power of the monarchies of England, France, and Spain, and the development of print culture. You will engage with broader themes in medieval and early modern history, such as rural and urban society, the economy, religion, gender, culture, warfare and state formation, and voyages of discovery, and follow these comparatively across period and place. You will also learn about the different types of source material used by historians of this period of European history, such as medieval court records, state documents, popular literature, and visual images.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn on this module by attending lectures that present key topics in medieval and early modern European history and discussing those topics in seminars. You will be taught through twice-weekly lectures and weekly seminars, and will engage with a variety of primary and secondary sources. Lectures will provide broad overviews of themes, concepts and historiographical controversies. Seminars will offer you the opportunity to engage with some of these themes/concepts/controversies in a more interactive manner. You will be expected to conduct a significant amount of independent research for seminars and for assessment. You will be given guidance on the preparation of assessed work and feedback following the completion of assessments. The precise format of each seminar will vary, according to the tutor’s direction.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your academic development will be supported through engagement with your peers, academic tutors, and programme leaders. Academic support is provided through group/individual tutorials which allow specific issues to be addressed and to promote progress in academic development. The module tutor will be accessible within publicised office hours and via email. Your peers will provide you will a collaborative learning environment, and your programme leader will guide you through the requirements and expectations of your course. You will also be supported through individual engagement with the academic literature, lectures, and resources available on the eLearning Portal. Formative feedback will be on-going throughout seminar activities and through assessment tasks.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the development of the history of late medieval and early modern Europe 1200-1720
2. Exhibit an understanding of key issues, concepts and problems in the study of the history of late medieval and early modern Europe
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate an ability to access a range of sources of information and present the results in written form and in a coherent and persuasive fashion.
4. Show basic skills of conceptualisation, critical thought, problem solving, and epistemological awareness.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Value curiosity, collaboration, and academic integrity as the keystones of effective learning.
How will I be assessed?
The assessment consists of two summative essays, each of 2,000 words and each worth 50% of the overall mark. The essays will enable you to develop your skills of analysis so that you can select and deploy evidence to formulate a coherent argument and to express it in written form. MLOs 1-5
Feedback for each assignment will be given individually through the assessment feedback sheets and you will be able to follow that up with an individual tutorial with the marker. Formative feedback will also be provided in seminars. Feedback on your first summative assessment will allow you to improve on later ones.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code QV31
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Humanities
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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