UNDERGRADUATE MODULE OFFERINGS 2012-13
School of History and Anthropology
Module code HIS2060
Module title: Religion, Secularization, and Conflict in Modern Europe
MODULE CONVENOR: Dr Todd Weir
TEACHING STAFF: Dr Todd Weir
ESTIMATED COURSE SIZE: 30
COURSE CONTENTS (max 500 characters)
This module examines three dimensions of religious conflict in three periods of
modern European history. We begin with the French Revolution and the impact it had
on the arrangements between the modern state, religious institutions and citizens. We
then look at the role of religious conflict in the development of the modern political
field. Here we are interested in how the conflicts between Protestants and Catholics,
between secularists and the Papacy, and between antisemites and the Left helped
structure political and social movements in the late nineteenth century. The third
dimension pertains to the debate over the “disenchantment” thesis of secularization
and takes examples from across the twentieth century, finishing with a look at recent
conflicts over the place of Islam in supposedly secular European societies.
REQUIREMENTS:
Tutorial attendance and approximately 75-100 pages of core reading per week.
Compulsory elements (MAX. 500 CHARACTERS)
Students will write one research essay for this module, take an examination and
complete at least five short responses to tutorial readings.
GOALS & SKILLS: (300 WORDS)
On completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate, through
examination answers, the assessed essay and tutorial contributions:
By the end of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- a good general knowledge of the political and religious history of Europe
between 1789 and the present.
- An understanding of some theories of the relationship of religion and
secularization to modernity, particularly the theory of Max Weber.
- an understanding of the outlook and experiences of various religious and
secular actors in a number of key conflicts over religion.
- familiarity with primary sources from this period and with relevant secondary
materials and historiographical debates.
On completion of this module, students will have further developed the following
skills:
- the ability to identify and select information relevant to the topic area from a
variety of sources
- the ability to analyse and evaluate evidence and argument related to this
period
- the ability to present an own argument in essays, using appropriate evidence to
support views
-
the ability to work effectively within a group, making appropriate
contributions to discussions, debates and tasks
TEACHING CONTACT HOURS: one and one half hour lecture, one and one half
hour tutorial.
MODULE ASSESSMENT
Assessment Profile:
Element type
Essay
Exam
Short written tutorial preparation
Participation
Element weight(%)
30%
50%
10%
10%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (OPTIONAL)
The tutor is considering taking interested students on an optional field trip to Munich
(together with participants in his second-year module in German history) to study first
hand sites of historical events and commemoration. The field trip would take place
over a long weekend, most likely in November. The students will have to meet their
own costs (airfare, lodging, food).