Course Objectives

The national-state system and the socio-economical conditions were different in the Nordic countries during the Early Modern period. The course will examine to what degree this became evident in the political culture and the socialisation of the people.

Course Description

The course has two points of focus. First, students will study the political culture in relation to participation, forms of expression, decision-making processes and principles of decision-making. In which way could the rural class exert influence and be heard through various administrative and political channels? Furthermore, students will study the dynamics of official control and unofficial disciplining of people, and how conflicts, norms and crime were handled, primarily as it appears at the courts and the court documents. The topic will be viewed over a considerable time-span, from a political, social historical and cultural historical perspective, emphasizing changes over time and comparison of groups, between the genders and between the Nordic countries. The focus will be on people as active participants in their relation to the authorities and to each other.

Learning Methods

Lectures and seminars

Assessment Methods

In one of the specialisation courses which are taught (not Overview of Nordic History), drawn by lot, a home examination (2 weeks) and an oral test will be given in the last part of the semester. The home examination will be given by the subject teacher(s) and will be closely related to the teaching. In addition to the course syllabus texts, other relevant literature (e.g. an article) and/or historical sources may also be used. In the other course(s), in which there is no home examination, a 6-hour in-class examination will be given. . If only one course is taught, students will have one two week’s home examination plus an oral examination.

Re-sit Exams will always be in-class examinations.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean