Course Description - History 497 investigates how communities
were established, organized, and reformed in early modern Europe
(1450-1650), an era associated with Tudor/Stuart England,
Renaissance and Reformation movements, as well as the discovery and
colonization of the Americas.
Projects -- Students will be asked to
select a paper topic that explores some aspect of community dynamics
in early modern Europe or the first New World colonies. Since this
topic is very broad, it allows students with a basic grounding in
Middle Ages, Tudor/Stuart England, Renaissance, or Reformation to
adapt the seminar theme to their particular area of interest, as
long as you investigate Europe or the Americas between 1450 and
1650.
Possible research topics include how a
particular town, city, or state was organized or governed; how the
Protestant or Catholic Reformations influenced existing community
dynamics; the role of individual leaders or rebels in community
formation; the overlapping boundaries of family,
religion, and politics in urban life; or the role of art, ritual,
charity, or devotional practices in community formation and
definition.
Best preparation --
History 301 (Historical Methods) and two of the following PLU
History courses:
History 107: Western Civilization
History 323: Middle Ages
History 324: Renaissance
History 332: Tudor/Stuart
England
History 325: Reformation
Student-led Conference -- In early May,
2009, all three PLU History dept. capstone classes will meet
together for an all-day Saturday conference, where each student will
present a summary of their research. Guests are most welcome
at the conference.
