Magda Teter-Professor of History Faculty Photo

Magda Teter

Professor
of History

Director of Jewish and Israel Studies Program

Wesleyan University

Allbritton 203

Middletown, CT 06459

Tel: 860.685.5356

Fax: 860.685.2078

mteter_at_wesleyan.edu

Office Hours: Wednesday 10:30-12, Thursday 9-11, or by appointment (please email for an appointment)


History Department

Home Full CV Jewish Studies at Wesleyan Early Modern Workshop
Jewish House Mahzor

HIST 202: Early Modern Europe

This course explores major developments in European, and Western history and culture from the late Middle Ages to the event of modernity, covering roughly three centuries from the late 15th century to the end of the 18th century. It will explore the interplay of politics, religion, economy, and culture in the successes and failures of the religious movements of the time; transformations of states from medieval monarchies to modern states; expansion of Europe across the Atlantic and into Asia and Africa; and the information revolution that came with the introduction of the printing press into Europe. We will discuss cultural and social transformations that ultimately helped shape modern Western society, typically associated with religious diversity, toleration, human rights, democracy, and consumerism. The course will also examine a broader European society and culture and its relationship with the rest of the world, as Europe came increasingly dependent on products supplied by the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Among questions explored will be: How did European expansion change European society? How did Western states transform to allow a participation of Jews in the political process of their states, but continue to exclude women and slaves? And what role did women and gender play in these transformations? Were women only nuns, wives, witches, and, occasionally, queens? How did the concept of marriage and family change following the Reformation? The course will cover the continuities and change in early modern Western society and will seek to show a geographically and religiously diverse range of experiences.

Course Requirements            Course Readings

Syllabus

1. Th. 01/21 Introduction

 

Late 15th and Early 16th Centuries:

 

2. Tu. 01/26 Europe in the Late 15th and Early 16th Centuries:

3. Th. 01/28 Age of European Expansion:

4. Tu. 02/02 Printing Revolution:

 

5. Th. 02/04 Printing and Its Impact on Society and Culture:

6.  Tu. 02/09 GROUP I: Visit to the Special Collection at Olin Library; GROUP II: EndNOTE session *LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT ANNOUNCED*

 

7. Th. 02/11 GROUP II: Visit to the Special Collection at Olin Library; GROUP I: EndNOTE session

 

8. Tu. 02/16 European Arts and Culture: Renaissance and Humanism

Religious Reforms Across Europe

 

9. Th. 02/18 The Church before the Reformation

Deadline for the bibliography: Friday, Februrary 19, 2010, 4 pm

10. Tu. 02/23 Martin Luther and His Works

11. Th. 02/25 Spread of Lutheranism, and Other More Radical Religious Movements:

12. Tu. 03/02 John Calvin and Calvinism:

13. Th. 03/04 Responses to Challenge: Counter-Reformation and Catholic Reform:

SPRING BREAK MARCH 5-22, 2007

 

MONDAY 03/22:  MIDTERM EXAM ANNOUNCED on MOODLE


14.  Tu. 03/23 New Religious Orders and Rise of Catholic Spirituality

MIDTERM EXAM DUE WEDNESDAY, 03/24, 4 pm

 

15.  Th. 03/25 Wars of "Religion": Victories and Losses

16. Tu 03/30 Scientific Revolution and the Beginnings of an Era of Rationalism and Skepticism

Post-Reformation Europe: Society and Culture

 

17. Th. 04/01  Education and Gender:

Religious Conflicts, Solutions and Questions of Religious Toleration and Repression:

 

18.  Tu. 04/06 Women, Gender, and Change:

 19. Th. 04/08 The Poor and Poor Relief, Crime and Punishment

20. Tu. 04/13 Reformation and Revolution in England:

 21. Th. 04/15 Religious Toleration:

DRAFT OF THE SECOND ASSIGNMENT DUE  FRIDAY 04/16 at 12 pm (noon)

 

22. Tu. 04/20 Rationalism, Enlightenment, and Toleration: 

23. Th. 04/22 Colonialism, Slavery and European impact on Africa and the Americas. 

24. Tu. 04/27 Political Transformation:  Absolutist State and Mercantilism

25. Th. 04/29 The Enlightenment and the French Revolution

26.  Th. 05/04 Toward Modernity:  Reassessment.

05/07 FINAL VERSION OF THE SECOND SSIGNMENT DUE BY 8AM

 

FINAL EXAM (TAKE HOME) ANNOUNCED ON THE FIRST DAY OF EXAMS MAY 11. DUE MAY 14, 5 pm.