Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Special Subject: Gunpowder, Treason and Plot: England under Elizabeth I and James I A
School	History and Cultures
Department	History
Module Code	09 37956
Module Lead	Jonathan Willis
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites	LH Special Subject: Gunpowder, Treason and Plot: England under Elizabeth I and James I B - (09 37958)
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	This module will allow students to study a historical theme or area in great depth, under the guidance of an individual member of staff drawing on both secondary sources (i.e. books and articles) and primary sources (documents, newspapers etc), both published and unpublished. The module will allow students to study an aspect of history in detail and gain a fuller understanding of how different types of source material inform the historical process. This module will look at the reformation during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, from two main perspectives. It will adopt a loosely chronological approach, considering key moments and events in their reigns, such as the Elizabethan Settlement, the Spanish armada, the Gunpowder Plot, etc.It will also look at key themes, such as popular religion, puritanism, Catholicism and religious nonconformity, in order to highlight some of the main areas of historiographical interest in this period.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: analyse and appraise key events and historical processes relevant to the subject under scrutiny analyse and evaluate a wide range of relevant primary source material critically evaluate the historiographical context and trends of the subject under exploration summarise and evaluate the subject material with clarity and confidence, in writing
Assessment	37956-01 : 4,500 word take home exam : Exam (School Arranged) - Written Unseen (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1 x 2,000-word essay (50%) and 1 x 10-minute individual presentations (50%) Reassessment: Resubmission of failed component(s)
Other
Reading List