Course Description

The course will focus on:

• State systems in the respective Nordic countries in the Early Modern period and the comparison between them.
• Political cultures that include participation, forms of expression, decision-making processes and principles. Especially, the influence of the peasantry, and how their voice could be made heard through administrative and political channels. Changes and comparison of the Nordic countries will be emphasised.
• The legal and court systems in the respective Nordic countries in the Early Modern period and the comparison between them.
• The official control and unofficial disciplining of the people, and how conflicts, norms and crime were dealt with, first and foremost, as reflected in the courts and court documents. Changes and comparison between the respective Nordic countries will be particularly emphasized.
• The individual as a historical actor in relation to the authorities and to others.
  
  

The course is research-based and the lecturers include active scholars who teach and draw on their own experience where relevant. During the excursion related to the course (see below), the students will also have direct contact with active researchers.
The course is part of the specialization study programme in history (please refer to separate document); it is expected that this course will be taken together with Overview of Nordic History (3508) and another specialization course, each comprising 10 ECTS credits. The course, Overview of Nordic History (3508), provides background knowledge and the methodological foundation for studying these specialization courses and should therefore always be taken together with, or prior to them. It may vary from year to year whether 3509 is offered, and also whether it is taught in the spring or autumn semester.

Assessment Methods

The assessment consists of either a home examination (two weeks) and an oral examination, or a six-hour written examination in the college at the end of the semester. The form of assessment chosen will be decided by drawing lots each semester, so that students who take both specialization courses offered in history in the same academic year, will have a home examination in one course, and a written examination at the college in the other. The drawing of lots will be done in the autumn semester, and the result will also apply to the form of examination applicable to those students who take only one specialization course.

These examination forms are chosen so that students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate: knowledge and understanding of historical development; the ability to think analytically and critically; the ability to communicate orally and in writing, c.f. learning outcome above.

In the home examination, other relevant literature (for instance, an article) and / or source material may be used, in addition to curriculum literature. In such cases, students will be given the relevant material. The oral examination will supplement the written work. Students will only be called into the oral examination, if they have passed the written examination.

The grade given will be on a letter scale from A to E, where F represents a failing grade.

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