Module: HIS5103-20 Revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Alan Marshall

Module Tutor Contact Details: A.Marshall@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module explores the nature of Europe during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. It will thus investigate the nature of the French revolution and its impact upon European politics and society. It will also explore the rise, fall and character of Napoleon Bonaparte, his government, political life, domestic policies, and military campaigns. In addition it will place the era within the context of the foreign and domestic policies of two other major European powers: Britain and Russia. It will also examine the war and conflict of the era with a particular focus upon the Spanish peninsula. Further, the module will also explore some of the reaction to the career of the French emperor in romantic literature through the poetry of Byron, the art of cartoonists such as Gillray, as well as the music of Beethoven and others. The writings of various historical schools on the revolution and Napoleon will also be explored.

2.Outline syllabus:

• Introduction: The Napoleonic Legend

• Europe before Napoleon

• Revolution in Europe

• French Society and the Revolution

• War and its Impact

• The Rise of Bonaparte

• First Consul, Emperor and Government

• The Sun of Austerlitz and the God of War: The Military Campaigns, 1800-1815

• The Great War: Britain, France and Europe; 1789-1814

• Napoleon and Little Bony: The Romantic and Satirical Image of the Emperor

• Women in the Napoleonic period

• Nationalist Reaction, Romantic hero: Beethoven, Byron and Bonaparte

3.Teaching and learning activities:

This module is taught through a structured series of weekly seminar/workshops, also incorporating some guest lectures, along with tutorial-style group discussions of set texts, and the ideas and issues that they raise. Further tutorials will also be offered to provide assistance with research and writing skills appropriate to Level 5. Pre-submission of work tutorials will also be available and feedback sessions will be both one to one and group sessions. All feedback on summative work and in seminars provides formative support for students.

Face-to-face contact during tutorials and workshops is intended to encourage and facilitate peer-support and shared learning; there will also be opportunities for joint working. An ability to work together, whether remotely or face-to-face, is an essential attribute in the course both for successful study and future employment.

You will be expected to divide the remaining study hours between work-based learning and practice for assignments, private study, subject-based mentor consultations and assignment preparation

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 60%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Group Seminar presentation (30 mins)

• % Weighting: 40%