General provisions

The Department of History is responsible for the course. The course was approved by the board of the Department of History 2009–03–04.

Entry requirements

Admission to a magister/master programme within the faculty of arts or a Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies), in history studies. Proficiency in English.

Learning outcomes

The purpose of the course is to offer a broad perspective on the state building process in northern Europe, 1500–1815. The divergent paths of state formation and the inherent power struggles will be explored, as well as the institutions that were developed and the impact these had on the population in northern Europe.

Learning outcomes

The student will:

- acquire broad knowledge of current research on state formation in northern Europe during the early modern period.

Competences

The student will:

- develop his or her ability to critically evaluate and apply different theoretical and conceptual perspectives employed in the study of the early modern period,

- develop and improve skills to define research topics suitable to contribute to historical knowledge, and to analyse the topics and present the analyses in concise and comprehensible ways,

- improve his or her ability to use and draw conclusions from primary sources.

Content

The course will consist of a number combined lectures and seminars focusing on specific themes and questions. Seminar discussions will be based on a mandatory literature list and primary sources.

Instruction

Study of literature and primary sources, active participation in seminars and/or tutorials, and writing and presentation of papers.

Assessment

Examination will include active participation in all seminars, writing and presentation of papers. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system and ECTS grading system. The following grades will be used: Väl Godkänd (corresponds to A or B), Godkänd (corresponds to C, D or E), Underkänd (corresponds to Fx or F).

Other directives

Graduates with a Master's degree in history will be employable in a wide variety of occupations. A Master in history provides a good basis for responsible positions in secondary and higher education (PhD programme), civil service on the local, regional and national levels, personnel management, journalism, international organisations, tourism as well as enhancing cultural heritage in its various manifestations including archives, museums and libraries.