LFU:online

Acquisition of basic skills for dealing with historic sources and presentations of the Modern Times as well as skills in presenting the newly acquired knowledge orally as well as in writing. Acquisition of basic knowledge and application of relevant methods aiding scientific research.

The structure and development of the “Holy Roman Empire” belong to the key topics of early modern history. Scholarly efforts to understand this complex formation have generated both methodical innovations and controversies of interpretation over the last decades. Such advances and debates inspire the course. With regard to institutions, constitutional practice and political culture, it explores central problems of the Empire’s history, focussing on research questions and primary sources. At the same time, we will exercise basic historical methods and forms of presentations with reference to selected examples.

Reading and discussion of sources and secondary literature; thematic presentations; group work

Regular and active participation; oral presentation; written final paper

As a primer: Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger, The Holy Roman Empire: A Short History, Princeton 2018. A comprehensive bibliography will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Positive assessment of compulsory module 1. The respective proof ought to be produced until the end of October 2024.

Online registration necessary! Willingness to read English texts is expected.