Economic and social history are also of great importance in the period: topics will include the industrial revolution, population growth, urbanisation, education, and the roles of women. The development of new ideas, including in scientific, cultural and religious areas, is a major focus of the course. There is scope for students to incorporate their own academic interests where appropriate through their research papers.

By the end of the course students should have a good general understanding of the key events, ideas and individuals of the period, and the ways in which European politics and society were transformed.

Students will also:
- developed their abilities to describe, analyse and debate complex ideas and historical arguments
- strengthen both oral and written communication skills
- learn to work with primary sources
- learn about different types of historical writing and how to assess historical interpretations
- familiarise themselves with historical debates through analysing secondary literature.

Attendance at class is mandatory. More than 3 unauthorised absences will cause your final overall grade to be reduced by one level, (A- to B+, B+ to B etc). 5 or more absences will cause your final grade to be reduced by one full letter grade (A to B, B to C etc). An excused absence requires a doctor's note or official evidence that you have had an illness, family emergency or legal obligation which prevents you from attending class. Please bring or email this notification directly to me unless there is a good reason not to, otherwise please go to the Faculty Support Office in the Guarini Campus.

Travel plans, or mistakes in travel plans, are not an acceptable reason for missing class.

Students must sign in on the class attendance sheet at the start of each class. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of class will be recorded as absent. Please be punctual. Attendance records are based on the sign-in sheet so it is your responsibility to make sure you sign it every class. 

CLASS POLICIES

 In addition to the attendance policy which you should read carefully, please note:

• It is not possible to arrange make-ups for mid-term or final exams. See catalogue for further details.
• Please notify me via email if you are going to miss class, in advance where possible.
• Try to minimize all forms of disruption to the class: this includes constantly leaving to the bathroom, eating, browsing on facebook, checking your email, using your phone etc. This behaviour is disrespectful and above all distracting to me and to your classmates, and it prevents us from creating a productive working environment.If I find that you are using your computer for non-class related purposes I will mark you down as absent for that session since you have been mentally absent from the classroom.
• It is your responsibility to check the class Moodle site for messages, schedule changes, class readings etc regularly.
• Be aware that all work will be checked for academic dishonesty.
• Late work will not be accepted after the final examination date.