2017/18
28114 - Early Modern History: 16th Century A.D.
Compulsory
5.3. Syllabus
Introduction
1. The concept of Early Modern History: problems of definition. The question of periodization. Sources. Developments in the historiographical treatment.
2. The beginnings of the Early Modern Age: Overcoming the late medieval crisis. European expansion: The discovery of America. The formation of the Spanish and Portuguese colonial empires.
The sixteenth century
3. Population, economy and society. The European population growth and its limits, the rural economy. The development of commercial and financial capitalism. The privileged society. Social transformations. Economic development and social polarization.
4. Reformations. Luther. Calvin. European expansion of the Reformation and its structures. The Radical Reformation. The Counter Reformation. The Council of Trent. The Society of Jesus.
5. The political system of modern Europe. «Rex and regnum»; the increase of the authority of the prince. Courts, diets, and parliaments. The political thought.
6. European monarchies in the first half of the sixteenth century: the Empire of Charles V. Habsburg and Valois. Religion and politics. Confessional conflicts in Europe. The Turks.
7. The powerful Spanish monarchy: Philip II. The Wars of Religion. The Revolt of the Netherlands. The Empire. England. The Nordic countries.
8. Cultural development: Humanism and Renaissance. The means of cultural transmission: the book and education. The culture of the subaltern classes.
The extra-european worlds
9. The European projection over America. Empires in Asia. Africa: cultures, slaves and trade.
5.4. Course planning and calendar
See the academic calendar of the University of Zaragoza (http://academico.unizar.es/calendario-academico/calendario) and the website of the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts (Schedule of classes: https://fyl.unizar.es/horario-de-clases#overlay-context=horario-de-clases; Examination schedule: https://fyl.unizar.es/calendario-de-examenes#overlay-context=)
More information will be provided on the first day of class.