Early Modern History
Name: Early Modern History
Code: HIS02443L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
History
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Presentation
This curricular unit provides a broad overview of Early Modern History, mainly focusing on socioeconomic and cultural areas.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
1) To understand the foundations of the political-institutional organization of societies and the main cultural phenomena, as well as their circulation on a global scale from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
2) To understand the spatial framework of analysis (political geography, cultural geography, etc.).
3) To know the factors and agents of continuity and rupture.
4) To master the conceptual vocabulary used in the various thematic areas.
5) To acquire basic notions about the current status of historiographical issues, with a special focus on recent research areas.
6) To develop skills in bibliographic and documentary research, critical reading, analysis, and oral and written presentation. Additionally, to foster autonomy, a spirit of mutual assistance, and responsibility in work.
2) To understand the spatial framework of analysis (political geography, cultural geography, etc.).
3) To know the factors and agents of continuity and rupture.
4) To master the conceptual vocabulary used in the various thematic areas.
5) To acquire basic notions about the current status of historiographical issues, with a special focus on recent research areas.
6) To develop skills in bibliographic and documentary research, critical reading, analysis, and oral and written presentation. Additionally, to foster autonomy, a spirit of mutual assistance, and responsibility in work.
Contents
1. Why study Early Modern History? Problems, central themes, and periodization.
2. Europe from the late 14th century to the late 18th century: strengthening the capacity for intervention of the political center.
3. Population and social structures in the Ancien Régime. Characterization of social hierarchy. Processes of social mobility. Ethnic minorities and marginal groups.
4. The economy of the Ancien Régime: continuities and changes. European expansion and the first economic impacts. The new geographical and commercial framework. Regional inequalities.
5. Renaissance: Humanisms, religious reforms, and European expansion. The ?printing revolution.?
6. ?Scientific Revolution? and Enlightenment. New cultural and social values. Rationalism and the scientific method; religion and modernity; education and the dissemination of ideas; the creation of the public sphere.
7. New trends in studies on the early modern era.
2. Europe from the late 14th century to the late 18th century: strengthening the capacity for intervention of the political center.
3. Population and social structures in the Ancien Régime. Characterization of social hierarchy. Processes of social mobility. Ethnic minorities and marginal groups.
4. The economy of the Ancien Régime: continuities and changes. European expansion and the first economic impacts. The new geographical and commercial framework. Regional inequalities.
5. Renaissance: Humanisms, religious reforms, and European expansion. The ?printing revolution.?
6. ?Scientific Revolution? and Enlightenment. New cultural and social values. Rationalism and the scientific method; religion and modernity; education and the dissemination of ideas; the creation of the public sphere.
7. New trends in studies on the early modern era.
Teaching Methods
Teaching methodologies are diverse, combining the teacher?s oral presentation with the development of students? abilities to foster critical thinking about the syllabus content, autonomy in the teaching and learning process, and self-assessment skills. They promote participatory learning, encouraging students? active participation and discussion in the classroom, as well as demonstrating their ability to organise, systematise, and analyse information.
The Moodle platform will be used for the development of teaching and learning activities and for carrying out the tasks assigned to students.
Within the teaching and learning process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools must comply with the Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Teaching, Assessment and Learning at the University of Évora, established by Order No. 34/2026. The use of AI tools may be permitted as support for study, research, the organisation and systematisation of information, and language revision, but may not replace the student?s intellectual work or learning process. In assessed work, whenever AI is used, the student must identify the tool used and the purpose for which it was used, and remains responsible for the content submitted.
The Moodle platform will be used for the development of teaching and learning activities and for carrying out the tasks assigned to students.
Within the teaching and learning process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools must comply with the Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Teaching, Assessment and Learning at the University of Évora, established by Order No. 34/2026. The use of AI tools may be permitted as support for study, research, the organisation and systematisation of information, and language revision, but may not replace the student?s intellectual work or learning process. In assessed work, whenever AI is used, the student must identify the tool used and the purpose for which it was used, and remains responsible for the content submitted.
Assessment
? Continuous Assessment:
Written test (closed-book) at the end of the semester (60%).
Written paper of 6 to 7 pages (approximately 2000 words; font size 12; 1.5 line spacing), to be completed in groups of two students (40%).
II - Final assessment:
Written exam (100%).
III - Fraud Prevention Mechanisms (Decree No. 216/2026):
If deemed necessary to verify the extent to which the student has developed the knowledge and skills envisaged for the curricular unit, the teaching team may summon the student for an oral examination, in accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 110 of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, while ensuring the conditions provided for in paragraph 4 of Article 116 and paragraph 1 of Article 118 of the same Regulations. The oral examination will carry a weighting of 30% of the final grade for the curricular unit.
Written test (closed-book) at the end of the semester (60%).
Written paper of 6 to 7 pages (approximately 2000 words; font size 12; 1.5 line spacing), to be completed in groups of two students (40%).
II - Final assessment:
Written exam (100%).
III - Fraud Prevention Mechanisms (Decree No. 216/2026):
If deemed necessary to verify the extent to which the student has developed the knowledge and skills envisaged for the curricular unit, the teaching team may summon the student for an oral examination, in accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 110 of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, while ensuring the conditions provided for in paragraph 4 of Article 116 and paragraph 1 of Article 118 of the same Regulations. The oral examination will carry a weighting of 30% of the final grade for the curricular unit.
Accreditations and Certifications
