Europe Divided, c. 1480-1620

Overview

Overview

This module explores the history of Europe during the sixteenth century. It assesses the era of Europe’s Renaissance and Reformation, and considers efforts to revive European culture, religious life, politics, and society. It examines the impact of reform movements, analysing how cultural divisions and competition for power led to conflict within European societies and between European states. It covers a long sixteenth century, taking the 1492 defeat of the last emir of Granada as a point of departure and the second defenestration of Prague in 1618 as a moment of culmination and conclusion.

The module covers all of Europe’s major states from the Ottoman empire to Tudor England and considers European engagement with the rest of the world. Lectures and tutorials will focus on key moments to reflect on the wider changes that shaped the sixteenth century from 31 October 1517 in Wittenberg to 24/25 August 1572 in Paris. Lectures and tutorials will highlight important authors (including Niccolò Machiavelli and Desiderius Erasmus) and key historiographical texts to allow for discussion of political and cultural change across the sixteenth century in Europe.

Time, Date, and Place

This lecture-only module comprises of one lecture per week over one term, commencing the week beginning 22 September 2025. Lectures take place on the Trinity Campus. 

 

Course Fees

€85 full rate, €60 concession rate. The concession rate is available to all those retired, over 65s and those on a government pension/payment plan and the unwaged, including second and third level students.

Apply

Enrolments for this course will open in mid-August at: www.histories-humanities.tcd.ie/shortcourses

You may apply online or by telephone as follows:

Online: Register and pay by credit/debit card online after enrolments open at: www.histories-humanities.tcd.ie/shortcourses

By telephone: Text ‘APPLY FOR COURSE’ to +353 (0)87 2572015 and you will receive a call back to confirm your registration. The phone will be busy during the application period so responses may be delayed. Please do not call to enroll for this course.

Get in Touch

Telephone Number

+353 (0)1 8968589 or TEXT 087 257 2015

hhextra@tcd.ie