Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit explores the cultural and intellectual history of the period of the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe (ca. 1450-1650). The intellectual life of humanists both within and outside universities will be explored in the context of the emerging technology of print. Students analyse the major beliefs and practices of the Reformation and Catholic Reformation movements, and their expression in written texts, art, music, literature, social experience and missionary contact. The rise of the nation state along with other major shifts in the political landscape, including wars both within and outside Europe, will be considered. Students will engage broadly with the history of science, religion, philosophy, literature, art, and emotions in the late medieval and early modern era. Students are given extensive opportunities to interpret original documents and artefacts across a broad geographical survey of Europe and in its interactions with Asia and the Americas. Students develop training in historiography by debating the key narratives of this period related to 'Renaissance' and 'Reformation', across Europe in the broader context of social, cultural, gender and intellectual approaches to the period.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 option in the History major sequence
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe and assess the basic historiographical issues characteristic of the discipline of History through the example of the historiography of the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe; (2) identify and evaluate the historiographical problems posed by historical interpretation of the cultural, religious and intellectual life of the early modern period; (3) demonstrate a detailed understanding of the period 1450 to 1650 in Europe; (4) demonstrate the ability to locate sources for research essays; and (5) present arguments in both written and oral assessments using the conventions of the historical discipline.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation; (2) primary source assessment; and (3) research essay with a self-developed annotated bibliography. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Kirk Essary
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- a Level 1 HIST
or GEND unit
or EURO1101 Europe Now: Cultures and Identities - Incompatibility
- HIST2012 Renaissance, Reformation, Revolt: Europe 1450–1650
- Contact hours
- Up to 2 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.