Module description

Situated at the crossroads between the Anglophone, Francophone and German-speaking cultures, “the Low Countries”, present-day Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (plus some adjacent areas in what today is Germany and France), offer a fascinating picture of European history en miniature. Many common traits and similar developments have differentiated these countries from the surrounding great powers and have given them a distinct character.

The module offers a broad survey of Low Countries History from the late Middle Ages to the eve of World War I and aims to provide students with a coherent introduction to 16th–19th century history of the Low Countries. Although political history will be the main focus of the course, it touches on a wide range of other topics as well, including social stratification, women’s history, religious strife and toleration, intellectual life, and, of course, Dutch art and culture.

Teaching Delivery

The module is suited for all learners with an interest in this European neighbour region of the UK, whose early modern history was closely intertwined with that of Britain. No previous historical knowledge or competence in Dutch is required. Students from all programmes and departments are welcome to join this module.

At the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate:

a familiarity with the history and culture of the Low Countries from the sixteenth to early twentieth centuries;
	an understanding of the international context of history and culture of this key European region;
	an ability to think critically about a variety of sources;
	and an ability to derive historical information from primary sources and communicate it effectively, both orally and in writing.
Recommended Reading

The following textbook, a standard history, provides backup to the programme:

J. C. H. Blom and E. Lamberts (eds), History of the Low Countries (New York/London: Berghahn Books, 1999, 2nd ed. 2004). Several copies are held by UCL Library at DUTCH H32.51 BLO.
Shorter introductions

Paul Arblaster, A history of the Low Countries (Basingstoke, 2006). UCL Library DUTCH H 32.51 ARB.
	J. A. Kossmann-Putto, and E. H. Kossmann, The Low Countries: History of the Northern and Southern Netherlands (Flemish-Netherlands Foundation, 1994). UCL Library: DUTCH H32.51 KOS.
	P. J. A. N. Rietbergen, A Short History of the Netherlands: from Prehistory to the Present Day (Amersfoort, 1992). UCL Library: DUTCH H32.51 RIE.
For an interactive reading list please see this module’s Reading List@UCL Libraryhttps://rl.talis.com/3/ucl/lists/56C722B2-65EF-CBA7-CD44-9E6F7326EEAE.html