HS1S034 - Science, Magic and Medicine in Early Modern Europe 06 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | HS1S034 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Science, Magic and Medicine in Early Modern Europe | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Culture and Animation | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Culture | ||
| Module Leader: | Ruth Atherton | ||
| Module Team: | |||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2021 | Final Year of Intake: | 2026 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 4 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | |||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | |||
Document Version Information
| Version | 2 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 06 Jul 2023 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2027 |
Module Aims
The module aims to introduce students to core aspect of early modern social, religious, cultural and intellectual history. Key themes and developments are explored including the printing press, scientific developments, medical knowledge and the role of magic; and the ways in which the world was understood and explained by contemporaries.
The module aims to introduce students to a range of primary sources as well as to foster an understanding of key theories and historiographical debates.
Content Summary
Thinkers of the European Renaissance received a surge of new information from sites of trade and exploration abroad and through newly invented tools for observation and communication. Working without our current categories of 'science' and 'magic', they and following generations attempted to test and absorb knowledge which challenged existing systems for understanding the 'visible' and the 'invisible' worlds. This course will be structured around the questions asked by early modern scholars regarding the nature of the world, the role of religion in daily life, the meaning of ‘monsters’ and natural wonders, and the development of medical knowledge and treatments. The early modern period was characterised by monumental shifts in religion, society and culture. It was scarred by periods of terror, such as the witch hunts and religious persecution, as well as noted for its advancements in technology and learning. In this module, topics such as medicine and alchemy, magic and the supernatural, the world and the universe, and the limits of secular and religious authority will be explored in order to gain a deeper understanding of the early modern period.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 8 |
| Seminar | 20 |
| Tutorial | 1 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 11 |
| Independent Study | 80 |
| Directed Study | 72 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 8 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Identify and explain some of the main developments in and distinguishing features of the history of beliefs and ideas in the European world, 1450-1700. |
| LO2 | Discuss primary sources (such as astrological charts, medical manuals, and early printed illustrations) and secondary material related to such issues, clearly presented with supporting evidence. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Essay 1 | An essay on the themes and subjects of the module | 0 | 2000 | 50 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Document analysis 1 | An analysis of a document or extract related to the themes and subjects of the module | 0 | 2000 | 50 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Essay 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Document analysis 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |