Course Resources Archive

This module will explore how significant religious change during the years of the Reformation influenced people’s perceptions of the world around them.  It will consider how reformed Protestant culture led to a heightened fear of the ‘supernatural’ world, due to newly invigorated beliefs about the innately sinful nature of humankind and fears about the heretical nature of the traditional Church.  Students will explore both ‘learned’ and ‘popular’ perceptions of religion, superstition and fear in early modern Europe, covering topics such as witchcraft, ghost beliefs and fairy-tales.

Sessions on this module will enable students to consider ideas about religion, beliefs and fears in the early modern period, looking both at the ‘official’ Church teachings as well as various layers of ‘popular’ beliefs which helped people to understand and make sense of the often precarious early modern world.   Students will explore a wide range of beliefs, including ideas about angels and godly spirits; providence; ghosts; fairytales; the Devil and demons; magic; as well as beliefs about the power of prayer, Bible reading, sermon ‘gadding’, the communion and religious fasting.   A range of early modern texts will be used to help students explore this very different world, and to deepen their understanding of early modern culture. 

A student passing this module should be able to show

1. A strong knowledge of the Reformation and religious change in the early modern period

2. A clear understanding of the relationship between 'popular' and 'learned' forms of belief and culture, as well as a critical approach to the meaning and usefulness of such terms

3.  An understanding of major historical debates related to the early modern period 

4.An ability to evaluate primary source materials

5. An ability to identify historiographical issues and critically assess historical debates

6. Proficiency in written and verbal communication

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.