Admission requirements
None.
Description
This course introduces students to the history of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the early twenty-first century, focusing on historical and political developments. To gain insight into issues that dominate the history of the Netherlands, classes providing a chronological overview are alternated with classes that focus on a particular theme (e.g. tolerance, colonialism, migration) as addressed in literary or kindred works. Questions that may be addressed include: Did the Netherlands actually exist before the Early Modern Era? Why is the Dutch seventeenth century called the Golden Age, and is it really as golden as has always been assumed? What role did the Netherlands play in its former colonies, such as Indonesia, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles? How does the memory of World War II live on to this day? Why is the Netherlands valued today and what does it need to come to terms with? A guided historical walk through Leiden is also included in the course program.
Course objectives
Students acquire knowledge of and insight into the outlines of Dutch history, its main events and developments;
Students are acquainted with political and topical debates within the history of the Low Countries;
Students are able to reflect on historical developments and debates and relate them to the literary culture of the Netherlands.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Lectures
Assessment method
Assessment
The assessment will consists of written assignments (30%), and a final exam (70%) with short questions and essay questions.
Weighing
Three short essays (30%)
Final exam (70%)
Resit
There will be a resit of the final exam in June.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
James C. Kennedy, A Concise History of the Netherlands. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Further readings will be announced later via Brightspace.
Registration
General information about registering for courses and exams can be found here.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats.
Remarks
Not applicable.