The course introduces students to the history of Tudor and Stuart England. A main element is politics and personage, yet just as important will be ordinary peoples' daily lives and relationships; their beliefs, values, and customs; fundamental concepts and methods used in the study of the same. Where possible, comparative consideration will be given to the British Isles and England's place therein.

While no prior knowledge is expected, the course should be of particular interest to those who have studied early modern European and American history (e.g. HIST1205/6) or are undertaking courses which consider 16^th-18^th-century literature, art, or philosophy.

More specifically, students will gain experience of two different types of historiography (the political and socio-cultural) as they expand their knowledge of the origins of several fundamental features of the  modern world (e.g. parliamentary democracy, class society).

Candidates will complete two essays. The first (2,000-words/35%) will consider a particular tutorial topic so that students have a focussed, manageable introduction to the practice of early modern historiography. Students will be free to select their topic from among the first 6-8 tutorials for the course. Essays will typically be due 1-2 weeks after their discussion at tutorials.

The second essay (3,000-words/45%) will be research-based so that students have an opportunity to practise historiography for themselves. They will formulate their own research question (to be approved by the course convener) and learn how to use primary and secondary sources to frame an answer. As there is no examination for the course, this essay will be due on the last day of teaching.

To recognize and reward the process behind this assessment, the better of the two essays will be apportioned a ‘floating 10%'. Finally, the last coursework component (tutorial participation and attendance-10%) will emphasize group discussion of work-in-progress.

On-campus. Lectures streamed via DLD audio, and Web video as available.

Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour tutorial session per week. Students should expect to devote a similar period of time each week to private study.

Any first year history courses to the value of twelve units or with permission of the Convener.

A Reading Brick will be compiled.

Sharpe, J.A., Early Modern England. A Social History 1550-1760, 2nd edition, 1997 (or later).