Europe in the 16th & 17th Centuries

• Leading class discussion (x2) 10% - you will work in pairs and will select a country that you will focus on for both the Reformation & Scientific Revolution (you may select from France, the Low Countries, England, Scotland, Scandinavia/Sweden, Bohemia, Poland, Italy, or Spain/Spain & Portugal)…details on outlining the chapter listed below…
• Midterm Exam 25% - due on Friday 10 October
• Final Exam 25% - due on Wednesday 22 October
• Term Paper with Annotated Bibliography 40% - due in two parts, see assignment sheet for details...
  

Without question you should be in class every day, ready to learn. Should you fall ill, break your leg, or have another serious dilemma that prevents your attendance, you are responsible for politely asking a classmate if you can HAND-COPY their notes (do not forget to say thank you!). Additionally, you should set up a time to go over missed material with Dr. Myers at the earliest possible opportunity. Although no portion of your course grade is allotted to participation, it is expected of all Cornell students and, to be perfectly honest, the more you discuss the information you are learning, the better you will learn it. Note: All assignments must be completed for you to earn a passing grade in this course.

Grading Scale

Extra Credit Options
For those students who may want a way to solidify your grade or take stress off the final, extra credit options, totaling 10 pts. (to be added to the final exam), will be available during the term. Additional information will follow in class…

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For the country whose chapters you outline, you should provide your classmates with the following information in the form of a handout:

Summary of the chapter: What are the key topics that the author covers in the chapter.

Goals of the Chapter: How will this chapter deal with the Reformation/Scientific Revolution differently than others? Are there country-specific ideas that the author specifically wants us to learn about?

Key Quote: If you can find one, is there a key quote that summarizes either the Reformation/Scientific Revolution in your country, or the chapter as a whole. In other words, is there a proper thesis statement for the chapter…if so, write it down and note the page number as well.

Personalities: Who were the key players in the Reformation in your country? What were their motivations? Their methods?

Vocabulary: Are there any terms that you think need to be defined for your classmates, so that you can all get the most out of the chapter. These may be Reformation/Scientific terms, or simply words that will boost your own English vocabulary. You need not translate terms in foreign languages.

Events, Groups or Legislation: Note any major events, groups, or legislation that you think will help your classmates in organizing their notes, or in answering possible essay questions on the midterm or final exams.

In outlining the chapter, you may do so on an overhead or the blackboard, in a handout, or verbally. You should consider the key points raised by the author (some will make it easier than others to outline their chapter, and some will be less thorough than others), as well as focusing on the following areas:

• What was the impact of the Reformation or Scientific Revolution on the nation in religious, political, social, cultural, and/or economic terms?
• Was there any effect on day-to-day life?
• Were there any specific gender issues raised?
• What information is provided about education (or universities) in the country?
• Does the author mention any particular issues of historical debate?
• Is there mention of the kinds of sources or methods used to study the topic?
• Are there gaps where further research is needed?