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 this course is to let students acquaint themselves with the various ways of supporting oneself that existed in early modern northern Europe, and learn how varying institutional solutions affected people's chances of survival and quality of life. This includes working life, poor relief systems, property law, etc. Throughout the course, attention will be paid to class and gender aspects.

Learning outcomes

The student will:

- acquire up-to-date knowledge of the present state of research on strategies for and institutions of survival in early modern Northern Europe.

Competences

The student will:

- develop ability to critically evaluate and apply different theoretical and conceptual perspectives employed in studies of the subjects,

- 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 their 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 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. The following grades will be used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Failed (U).

Other regulations

Employability

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.