As Wales and England were united as a political unit at this time, a comparative perspective is essential to a study of the nature and scope of the Tudor and Stuart state and the lives of the people - both rich and poor - who lived within it. You will explore the differences and similarities between different social and cultural groups within both Wales and England as well as between national groups. Topics include the household, oral and print culture, music, magic and superstition, poverty, riot, crime, and political and religious radicalism, as well as events and processes concerning the Acts of Union, the Reformation, the civil wars, and republican rule. Larger themes run through these topics: the extent to which the early modern period experienced a transition from 'tradition' towards 'modernity'; the extent to which a process of social and cultural polarisation occurred, separating the better-off from the poor; and the nature of political, cultural, linguistic, and ethnic relationships within the British Isles. Modules will be taught through a mixture of lectures, with seminars, field trips and use of video film and documentary materials in certain modules.

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge and an understanding of the nature of early modern English and Welsh society and culture.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of historical approaches used to analyse early modern Welsh and English society and culture.
• Demonstrate, as a necessary foundation for more detailed analysis in the second and final years of the degree, an understanding of concepts such as ‘modernisation’, ‘social polarisation’, and cultural, linguistic and ethnic differentiation.

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge and an understanding of the nature of early modern English and Welsh society and culture.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of historical approaches used to analyse early modern Welsh and English society and culture.
• Demonstrate, as a necessary foundation for more detailed analysis in the second and final years of the degree, an understanding of concepts such as ‘modernisation’, ‘social polarisation’, and cultural, linguistic and ethnic differentiation.

• Acquire a broad knowledge of early modern England and Wales.
• Communicate ideas and arguments effectively, whether in class discussion or in written form.
• Formulate and justify arguments and conclusions in seminar discussions.
• present their understanding of such issues and events clearly and concisely in one piece of formative coursework and one summative essay of not more than 2,000 words;
• Modify as well as to defend their own position.
• Think critically and challenge assumptions.

Students will be summatively assessed by one 2,000-word essay (excluding empirical appendices and references) [50%], and one two-hour unseen written examination paper in which the student will answer two questions [50%].

Course assignments:

1. The formative and summative Essays are designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to review evidence, draw appropriate conclusions from it and employ the formal conventions of scholarly presentation. The essays must be no longer than the set word count (excluding empirical appendices and references).

The Examination will take place during the second assessment period and will consist of an unseen two hour paper that will contribute the remaining 50% of the final mark for this module. Students must write 2 answers in total.

•   Introduction

•   Early modernity & periodisation

•   The Early Modern Family

•   The State: the Acts of Union

•   The Reformation in England

•   The Reformation in Wales

•   Puritanism

•   Iconoclasm & Religious Cultures

•   Print & Oral Culture

•   Legends & Prophecies

•   Magic, Maths & Maps

•   Identities: Britishness

•   Place & Local Identities     

•   Politics & the Public Sphere I: news, libels & rumour

•   Politics & the Public Sphere II: crowds & riot

•   Governance in the Borderlands

•   ‘A World Turned Upside Down’: The Civil Wars 1642-49

•   Introduction

•   Early modernity & periodisation

•   The Early Modern Family

•   The State: the Acts of Union

•   The Reformation in England

•   The Reformation in Wales

•   Puritanism

•   Iconoclasm & Religious Cultures

•   Print & Oral Culture

•   Legends & Prophecies

•   Magic, Maths & Maps

•   Identities: Britishness

•   Place & Local Identities     

•   Politics & the Public Sphere I: news, libels & rumour

•   Politics & the Public Sphere II: crowds & riot

•   Governance in the Borderlands

•   ‘A World Turned Upside Down’: The Civil Wars 1642-49