Syllabus
I. Introduction to the issue and topics discussed. Characteristics of the seminar and credit conditions. Distribution of topics of papers.
II. Transformations of European politics in the early modern period
III. Basic social phenomena in the early modern period
IV. The monarch and his court
V. Nobility in the early modern period
VI. Clergy and piety in the early modern period
VII. A burgher in the early modern period
VIII. The countryside in the early modern period
IX Marginal groups in early modern cities
X. Woman and Morality
XI. Lecture/seminar led by a visiting expert
XII. Excursion related to the theme (probably to the Troja castle, possibly the Hvězda or Belvedere summer palaces, with interpretation)
XIII. Summary of knowledge gained, repetition and discussion, award of credit
Annotation
The seminar is focused on the transformations of early modern society, the identities of social strata and states (the monarch and his court, the nobility, the clergy, townspeople and rural residents) and their mutual conflicts, which were one of the accompanying phenomena and prerequisites for the formation of modern society. In connection with the thematic focus of the seminar, interest will also be focused on significant contemporary phenomena such as absolutism and confessionalization (especially in the German-French-speaking areas and on the Apennine and Iberian peninsulas) and at least a basic reminder of the development of the great empires and regional powers of the given period.
As part of the seminar, a spring excursion to a specific early modern site in Prague and a lecture or seminar by a visiting specialist are planned.