LFU:online

Acquisition of  a basic  knowledge of the history of minorities and marginalized  groups in the early modern period. Sensitisation of questions regarding social history, history of mentality and attitude and regional history. Impart knowledge of the most important genres of sources on the topic and their reliablilty

The course´s aim  is to give a survey of the different groups of social minorities (Jews,  Savouyardes), outcasts and marginals (executioners/headsmen, knackers, sick and leprose people, beggars, vagrants, so-called “gypsies”, resigned soldiers etc.) in early modern period.

A special focus will be put on the reasons and causes for their marginalisation and stigmatisation as well as their living conditions. Attention will also be concentrated on the broad transition area between the society that sets the norms and the marginalized groups, the various pro-social contacts between the permanent population and the marginalized groups as well as the phenomena of “honour” and “dishonesty”  and their respective meaning for the early modern estates-based society.

Lecture and subsequent discussion; presentation of resource material.

Written exam at end of semester.

Will be discussed in the first lesson.