History of Modern Times I (2016-2017)

Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles

HIST1219 - History of Modern Times I

Credits : 3

Lecturer :

Dauchy Serge

Mode of delivery :

Face-to-face , first term, 30 hours of theory.

Language of instruction :

French. Technical terms borrowed from other languages will systematically be explained in the frame-syllabus.

Learning outcomes :

This course aims at introducing the students to the major "dividing lines" of Modern Times (16th, 17th and 18th centuries). It also aims to develop the students' capacity to approach a period of transition in Western history in its "long" dimension: understand the political structures throughout Modern Times, but also beyond the chronological limits of the studied period (ruptures and continuities with the previous and following periods); in its "medium" dimension: analysis of the cyclic movements, especially in institutional matters; and in its "short" dimension: assess the direct impact of events on political history. This course also aims to develop a comparative approach through confrontation and comparison of political models and of institutional evolutions in different European countries (France, England, Spain, Netherlands, Empire...), not forgetting the colonial "experiences".

Prerequisites :

For the Bachelor in Law :

- DROI1121 - Criticism of Information Sources,

- DROI1120 - History of the institutions and law I (Middle Ages - Ancient Regime).

For the Bachelor in History :

- HIST1140 - The History of Western Societies, Cultures and Civilisations.

For the Bachelor in Information and Communication :

- HIST1140A - The History of Western Societies and Cultures

or HIST1117 - The History of Western Sociéties and Cultures.

For the Bachelor in French and Romance Languages and Letters : General :

- HIST1140 - The History of Western Societies, Cultures and Civilisations.

For the Bachelor in Modern Languages and Letters: German, Dutch and English :

- POLS1121 - Contemporary History

or ESPO1164 - Geopolitics.

For the Bachelor in Philosophy :

- HIST1140 - The History of Western Societies, Cultures and Civilisations.

For the Bachelor in Economics and Management :

- ECGE1120 - Economic and social history since the industrial era

or ESPO1164 - Geopolitics.

For the Bachelor in Political Sciences: General :

- HIST1140A - The History of Western Societies and Cultures

or HIST1117 - The History of Western Sociéties and Cultures.

For the Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology :

- HIST1140A - The History of Western Societies and Cultures

or HIST1117 - The History of Western Sociéties and Cultures.

Co-requisites :

None

Course contents :

This course will essentially focus on the genesis of the Modern State (starting from the study of the specialisation of central institutions and the analysis of political ideas) and on the comparison of political systems in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries: divine right of kings in France, parliamentarism in England, enlightened absolutism in the Empire and bourgeois republic in the United Provinces. These themes will be studied horizontally as well as vertically. The vertical analysis studies a determined country or institution throughout the three centuries (16th- 18th c.) that cover the Modern Times. The horizontal analysis aims at comparing the political and institutional evolutions at a given moment within the geographical frame of this course (essentially the Empire, France, England, the Iberian Peninsula, and the former Netherlands).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

This course is a lecture, which does not exclude the possibility of discussions and exchange of views.

Assessment methods and criteria :

Oral examination (with written preparation) on all the aspects of the course.

Recommended or required reading :

A general bibliography and lists of specialised works that enable to deepen the studied subject matter will be provided in the frame-syllabus.

Other information :

A frame-syllabus including a detailed course outline, maps and bibliographical references.