Constitutions before Modernity: "The Law of the Land" in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe

Admission requirements

BSA norm and a pass for both first year Themacolleges.

Description

In this seminar, we will explore pre-modern constitutional ideas and practice. For theoretical background, we will begin with a survey of the Greek and Roman origins of late medieval and early modern legalism, constitutionalism and republicanism. Then we will move to late medieval and early modern case studies. Our discussions will include famous instances of constitutional arrangements, such as Venice or England, as well as less known cases such as the elective monarchies of East Central Europe. We will analyze the right of resistance stipulated by the laws (or legends) of England, Aragon, Brabant, Transylvania, and Poland-Lithuania, as well as non-implemented ideas such as those put forth by Huguenot authors in sixteenth-century France. The new, “absolutist” constitutions of the seventeenth century will serve to show that “the law of the land” could be used either to resist rulers (as had been mostly the case until then) or to enhance their power and strengthen authority (especially from the seventeenth century onward).
The readings selected for this course are a combination of secondary and primary sources, mostly translated into English (for the cases of Brabant and Flanders some old Dutch may be used). In their final papers, students may either engage with a historiographical debate or choose a source-oriented approach (the topic and approach will be established in consultation with the instructor).

The seminars will be held in English but students may write their papers either in English or in Dutch.

This course is connected to the kerncollege ‘De grenzen van de macht’ (sem. 1) insofar as it explores the ways in which laws and constitutions were used a) by estates to limit the power of rulers, and b) by rulers in order to legitimize their power.

Course objectives

General learning objectives

• 1. carry out a common assignment
• 2. divise and conduct research of limited scope, including
     a. searching, selecting and ordering relevant literature:
     b. organising and using relatively large amounts of information:
     c. an analysis of a scholarly debate:
     d. placing the research within the context of a scholarly debate.
• 3. reflect on the primary sources on which the scholarly literature is based;
• 4. write a problem solving essay and give an oral presentation after the format defined in the Themacolleges, including
     a. using a realistic schedule of work;
     b. formulating a research question and subquestions;
     c. formulating a well-argued conclusion;
     d. giving and receiving feedback;
     e. responding to instructions of the lecturer.
• 5. participate in discussions during class.

Learning objectives, pertaining to the specialisation

• 6. The student has knowledge of a specialisation, more specifically of
  • in the specialisation General History the place of European history from 1500 in a worldwide perspective; with a focus on the development and role of political institutions;
• 7. Knowledge and insight in the main concepts, the research methods and techniques of the specialisation, more specifically of
  • in the specialisation General History the study of primary sources and the context specificity of nationally defined histories;

• Learning objectives, pertaining to this specific seminar*

• 8. Familiarity with ancient and medieval influences in early modern European constitutional thought;
• 9. Knowledge of the variety of ways in which constitutional thought was applied in practice in early modern Europe;
• 10. Ability to engage with scholarly debates on the importance as well as the limitations of early modern constitutions in specific historical contexts.

Timetable

See Rooster Geschiedenis (in Dutch)

Mode of instruction

• Seminar

Course Load

Total course load: 1-EX x 28 hrs = 280 hours

• Seminar meetings (2 hours per week x 13 weeks), 26 hours.

• Study of compulsory literature, 86 hours.

• Assignment 1 (final paper topic & bibliography), 16 hours.

• Preparation oral presenation, 32 hours.

• Final paper, 120 hours.

Assessment method

• Written paper (ca. 6000 words, based on historiography and some primary sources, including footnotes and bibliography; students may write in English or Dutch)
  Measured learning objectives: 2-4, 6, 7, 9, 10

• Oral presentation
  Measured learning objectives: 3-4, 9, 10

• Participation
  Measured learning objectives: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

• Assignment 1 (paper topic and bibliography)
  Measured learning objectives: 2

Weighing
Written paper: 60%
Oral presentation: 20%
Participation: 10%
Assignment 1: 10%

The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average with the additional requirement that the written paper must always be sufficient.

Deadlines
Written papers should be handed in within the given deadline

Resit
The written paper can be revised, when marked insufficient. Revision should be carried out within the given deadline

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used to post announcements, literature, and grades.

Reading list

All compulsory literature will be made available online. Students will receive details about the plan for the first seminar and the schedule of classes before the beginning of the course.

Registration

Via uSis

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable

Contact

ms. Dr. F. (Felicia) Rosu
Huizinga, room 2.68b,
Appointments by email.

Remarks

None