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EUST10010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Approaches to European Studies (EUST10010)

Subject:
European Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Sandy Wilkinson
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Welcome to the European Studies core course designed especially for you as first-year undergraduates! This semester, we will delve into the fascinating and complex topic of the Massacre of St Bartholomew's Day, which occurred in August 1572. This historical event, marked by political intrigue, widespread violence and religious conflict, has inspired a wealth of cultural products, including dramas, poetry, novels, and films.

Our exploration of the Massacre will be interdisciplinary, allowing us to examine the event through various academic lenses. We will hear from experts across the College of Arts and Humanities at UCD, who will share insights from their research and the diverse methodologies they use. Together, we will consider how these approaches can be applied to our own study of the 1572 Massacre.

As a pivotal event in the sixteenth century, the Massacre of St Bartholomew's Day highlights many key features of early modern European history. By investigating this topic, we will gain a deeper understanding of the political, social, and cultural dynamics that shaped the period. Join us as we uncover the layers of history, violence, and cultural production surrounding this significant event.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

• Introduction to University-Level Study: Develop foundational skills in researching, writing, and presenting ideas, essential for your academic success at UCD and in your future career.
• Exposure to Diverse Methodologies: Gain insight into various methodological approaches and techniques used by scholars across different disciplines, including history, languages, music, and art.
• Appreciation of Interdisciplinarity: Understand the advantages and challenges of interdisciplinary study, enhancing your ability to integrate diverse perspectives and methods.
• Confidence in Academic Engagement: Build confidence in asking questions, debating different perspectives, and presenting well-reasoned arguments in both written and oral forms

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1 Welcome
Week 2 Renaissance and Reformation: France in Flux
Week 3 Massacre I – Radical clerics and unsettled communities | Blood Wedding
Week 4 Massacre II – The Psychology of Religious Violence
Week 5 Massacre III – Making sense of suffering. Christopher Marlowe’s The Massacre at Paris (1593) | Memorialisation
Week 6 UCD Special Collections - Books in the fifteenth and sixteenth century – a hands-on introduction.
Week 7 Literary approaches to engaging with memories of violence: St Bartholomew's Day and the Irish "Massacres" of 1641
Week 8 READING WEEK
Week 9 Joint Seminar with Global History
Week 10 Women writers and the construction of memory in fourteenth to sixteenth-century France
Week 11 Essay Clinics
Week 12 Academic Advising meetings

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Novice

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

55
Autonomous Student Learning

55
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Total

132

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
We will meet once a week for a two-hour seminar. Although the course centres on a specific case study, it offers a broader exploration of interdisciplinary perspectives. Throughout the semester, scholars from various disciplines will join us to share their research and explain their unique approaches to studying the world.
Guest Lectures:
• Scholars from different fields will introduce you to their research methodologies and perspectives, providing a comprehensive view of the topic.
Reflective Learning:
• Weekly reports will encourage you to reflect on the material, fostering critical thinking and enhancing your writing skills.
Research and Writing:
• The final essay will help you develop confidence in conducting research, especially utilizing sources in different languages, and in presenting your findings coherently.
This approach ensures that you gain a deep understanding of the subject matter while developing essential academic skills in research, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary thinking.

Generative AI may be used in this module as a learning aid, for example to help clarify concepts, generate questions, or support planning and revision. However, assessed work must remain your own: you are responsible for the ideas, analysis, evidence, structure, and final wording you submit. Generative AI should not be used to produce substantial parts of an assessment on your behalf. If you are unsure whether a particular use is appropriate, please consult the Module Coordinator.

A proportion of written assignments in each module in the School of History are subject to moderation, meaning they undergo a second layer of review by another grader. This can include oral moderation meetings where the student is invited in for a short meeting with the module coordinator to discuss the assignment. Moderation contributes to better informed marking.

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: Completion of 5 learning journals and active discussion in seminars/contribution to debate Week 11 Graded No
50
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 2,500-word research essay Week 14 Graded No
50
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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.

Name Role
David Nicoll Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Fri 09:00 - 10:30
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 12:00 - 13:50
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