The Early Modern World (V1227)

30 credits, Level 4

Autumn teaching

Between 1500-1800, individuals in different world regions experienced significant change in their daily lives. Developments in politics, religion, culture and the economy altered the fabric of society. This was a period of excitement and discovery, but it was also an era of conflict and disorder.

Across the globe, people acquired new means to explore, understand and shape the world around them, through new breakthroughs in science and medicine, and original forms of expression in art and culture. However, the expansion of colonialism and chattel slavery complicated this progress.

On this module, you’ll:

• engage with the latest scholarship and different primary sources
• develop academic and transferable skills in research, criticial thinking and writing
• gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of this formative period in world history.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 55 hours of contact time and about 245 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• American Studies and History (with a study abroad year) BA
• English and History BA
• History BA
• History and Anthropology BA
• History and International Relations BA
• History and Philosophy BA
• History and Politics BA
• History and Sociology BA