EUST10010 Approaches to European Studies

Academic Year 2022/2023

For 2021-2022, we will take as our broad theme The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Day, August 1572. With its mix of political intrigue, political and popular violence, and religious conflict, not to mention the body of cultural products it inspired such as dramas, poetry, novels and films, the Massacre is a topic that lends itself particularly well to exploration through different disciplinary lenses. To help us in our investigation, we will hear from specialists from across the College of Arts in UCD, who will speak to us about their own research and the methodologies they employ. As a group, we will then attempt to see if / to what extent we can make use of or apply any of these approaches to our own case study (1572). The sixteenth century represents the beginning of modern European history; the Massacre will showcase many of its most salient features.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

To introduce you to university-level study, and instil some of the practical skills in researching, writing, and presenting your ideas that will undoubtedly prove critical to you over the course of your career in UCD (and beyond). You will gain an insight into a range of different methodological approaches and techniques which have inspired scholars across a range of different disciplines (e.g. history, languages, music, art). You will gain an appreciation for, and understanding of, the advantages and some of the challenges of interdisciplinarity. You will gain confidence in asking questions, arguing for and contesting different perspectives, and in presenting thought-out arguments.

Indicative Module Content:

For 2021-2022, the very broad theme will be The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Day, August 1572. This is in effect a hook for the course's main purpose which is to instil and develop critical skills: appreciating disciplinary difference; gaining a sense of the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary approaches;understanding how to undertake and present research; understanding the importance of challenging ideas as well as articulating what others have said and written; gaining an appreciation for a critical period in the history of Europe.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

20
Specified Learning Activities

45
Autonomous Student Learning

45
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
We will meet once every week for a two hour seminar. The course takes as its focus a case study, but it is broader than this. Over the course, we will be joined by scholars from different disciplinary backgrounds who will introduce you to their research, and how and why they look at the world in the way they do. Weekly reports will encourage reflective learning, and develop your skills in critical writing. The final essay will develop your confidence in researching, especially across different languages, and in writing up your findings. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2,500 word essay Week 12 n/a Graded No

50
Continuous Assessment: Weekly reports and contribution to class Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

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, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

You will receive regular feedback on your weekly reports. You will receive feedback on your proposed plans for your essays in class. You will receive written feedback on your final essays after the results have been published for the module.