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The ‘idea’ of Europe was slow to emerge in early modern and modern European history. It is, however, a useful concept for exploring the rapid change facing the peoples of Europe and the way they responded to such change politically, socially and culturally. This course is punctuated by four major themes that interconnect in order to allow students to engage with the collective unifying and fragmenting natures of the history of Europe and Europeans.

This course engages with questions about the `idea' of Europe and Europeans. It introduces students to modern European history by examining some of the forces and trends that influenced developments between the Black Death (1348) and the rise of nationalism after the French Revolution of 1789 and through industrialisation. By focussing on significant turning-points and some of the colourful players in this historic age, students analyse features of political, social and cultural change. In particular, the course allows students to engage with critical issues to do with Europe's hegemonic transformations and responses to the ideas emerging over the period with an emphasis on primary source analysis. Content and assessment items in this course lead to an appreciation not only of the relevance of the rise of nation states, but also the significance of Enlightenment ideas for our current times.