HIS33160 War, Religion and State in Sixteenth-Century France

Academic Year 2024/2025

In a society where Church and State were closely connected, how do you deal with those who step outside of the social, political and religious norms? Sixteenth-century France saw a rapid growth in Protestantism – were these loyal subjects or disobedient rebels; should they be killed or tolerated? The module will examine late sixteenth-century France, during a series of civil wars known as the early Wars of Religion (1555-1572) leading up to the famous Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacres. The interaction between the French Protestants and the State offers a glimpse into society as a whole: French kingship and governance; provincial and national conflict; the challenge that the Protestants posed to the State; how the state responded in turn (such as through warfare, toleration or peace-making), as well as other modes of analysis (such as sound and environment). The module encompasses an interdisciplinary approach and engages with a widespread array of primary and secondary sources, including visual and archival material, correspondence and contemporary histories.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of late sixteenth-century French society, particularly through the interaction of the French Protestants with the State.
Evaluate the changes the introduction of Protestantism brought to France and the different approaches the crown took to dealing with the Protestants.
Examine and critically evaluate primary sources in their literary, religious and historical contexts, understanding their strengths and limitations.
Demonstrate the ability to formulate and achieve a piece of critical and reflective historical writing, using independent research and critical analysis of a wide range of primary sources in particular.
Engage in independent and group work in seminars, developing confidence and skills through debating issues, communicating (presenting) and discussing complex concepts.
Analyse and evaluate the contributions made by scholars to historiographical debates, constructing arguments on these.
Engage in critical reflection on their own learning and performance, taking increased ownership of this process and working independently.

Indicative Module Content:

This module will address such topics as:
- Kingship and the court in sixteenth-century France
- Rise of Protestantism in France
- Provincial and national conflict during the Wars of Religion
- Different state approaches to Protestantism (such as toleration, warfare, royal edicts and peace-making in practice)
- The Protestant challenge to state authority (including organisation, political action, international networks)
- Alternate modes of analysis (gender, soundscapes, correspondence)

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

223
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module combines a one-hour lecture with a 2-hour seminar. Weekly lectures provide overviews of the topic, with focus on background to readings, and its relation to modern scholarship. Weekly seminars focus on small-group active and task-based learning by means of class debates, discussion and presentations. Autonomous learning is advanced through student-led debate and discussion of set primary sources, while student reflection is promoted by preliminary questions before each seminar. Advanced research, writing and citation skills are developed through a historiographical review and a final end-of-semester essay. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Class participation and engagement Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 1,200-word historiographical review Week 8 Graded No

30

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 3,000-word essay Week 14 Graded No

50

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment - Feedback individually to students, post-assessment - Group/class feedback, post-assessment Sequence of feedback: Feedback on continuous assessment is given individually and to the class, verbally and in writing, throughout the semester. Feedback on end-of-semester essays is given individually and to the class on drafts and essays plans before final submission, and by appointment after submission and grading.

Name Role
Dr David Nicoll Lecturer / Co-Lecturer